Restaurants Fight Food Inflation With Special Deals And Freebies

ACROSS AMERICA — Inflation weary consumers hungry for food bargains are finding some deals at fast-food and other restaurant chains that buck a national trend to pass higher food costs on to consumers.

With grocery prices still about 21 percent higher than they were when inflation started to surge more than three years ago, chain restaurants are gaining new appeal.

Here’s a look at value meals and other promotions offered by popular restaurant chains around the country:

Applebee’s has brought back its All You Can Eat promotion for $15.99 with endless servings of Riblets, Double Crunch Shrimp and America’s Favorite Boneless Wings, along with unlimited fires.

Burger King is offering a $5 Your Way Meal that offers customers a choice of one of three sandwiches, along with chicken nuggets, fries and a drink.

Chili's, taking aim at fast-food restaurants, added a Crispy Chicken sandwich and a Big Smasher burger to its Chili’s 3 for Me value menu, which starts at $10.99.

Denny’s brought back its $5.99 All-Day Diner Deals, which offer customers a choice of a quarter-pound cheeseburger, country fried steak, scrambled eggs and cheddar or all-you-can-eat pancakes.

IHOP is offering all-you-can-eat buttermilk pancake stacks for $5 until Sept. 15, and also offers unlimited pancakes with certain breakfast combinations.

KFC began offering $4.99 Taste of KFC Deals — two pieces of chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and a biscuit — last spring. A value meal offered on Tuesdays includes an eight-piece bucket of chicken for $10. KFC said both promos will continue until the end of 2024.

McDonald’s has extended its $5 value meals, which include a choice of a McChicken sandwich or McDouble burger. Both come with fries and a drink. The chain also offers a free medium-sized serving of fries with a $1 purchase on Fridays only.

Outback Steakhouse is offering a starter, entrée and dessert for $14.99. Also, kids eat free on Mondays.

P.F. Chang’s has launched Family Value Bundles with packages for two, four or six people that include Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts appetizers, Mongolian Beef and Kung Pao Shrimp entrées and a choice of white or brown rice.

Starbucks is selling items on its “pairings menu” for $5. Eligible items include a tall-sized hot or iced coffee or tea and a croissant. Breakfast sandwiches can be substituted for a $6 or $7 deal, depending on the type of sandwich.

Taco Bell is offering a $7 Luxe Cravings Box that includes a Chalupa Supreme, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Double Stacked Taco, chips and nacho cheese sauce, and a medium drink.

Wendy’s has a $3 breakfast combo deal that includes an egg and cheese English muffin sandwich with bacon or sausage, along with a side of seasoned potatoes. The deal is good during from 6:30-8:30 a.m. local time, although breakfast hours continue until 10:30 a.m.