This Is America’s Most Expensive Fast-Food Chain, Study Finds

Fast food is supposed to be quick and cheap, period. Alas, some chains charge outrageous prices that make diners feel like they’ve ordered a Michelin-starred meal. A new study reveals which cities have the priciest fast-food joints and which chains serve up the saltiest prices. 

Preply analyzed 57,245 Google reviews of 10,000+ restaurants across 50 major U.S. cities to uncover which chains customers find the most overpriced. They searched for words like “overpriced,” “rip-off,” “expensive,” and “not worth it.”  

NY-based Shake Shack took the top spot as America’s most expensive fast-food chain, receiving the most complaints for being expensive and “overrated.” The chain recently increased its prices by 3%, which didn’t help its reputation.

Five Guys landed in second place, with reviewers calling it “overrated and overpriced.” Sugar Factory’s $30 Instagrammable milkshakes made it the third most overpriced chain.

The study also revealed the U.S. cities with the most overpriced fast-food scenes. Oakland, California, took first place, followed by San Jose, California, and Virginia Beach, Virginia. 

Reviewers in these cities were the most likely to call out fast-food joints for charging more than their meals were worth. Surprisingly, New York City — home to many Shake Shack locations — ranked among the least overpriced cities. 

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