The fast food chains with the best-value burgers, according to new data

A cult-favorite chain took home the crown for most affordable burger.

Key Points

Researchers measured and calculated the average price per ounce of burger patties and fries at fast food chains across the United States to determine the best-value chains.
Southern chain Whataburger came out on top with the best price per ounce for its burger patty while the beloved restaurant's fries were some of the most expensive per ounce.
Analysis shows that regional chains are able to compete with national brands when it comes to delivering value for their customers.

Grocery prices are rising, shrinkflation is impacting the serving sizes of snacks, and food budgets feel a little tight for many may these days. If you’re strategizing to save money this year, new research determined which burger chains are the best fast food to turn to.

Data released by online lending service NetCredit earlier this year revealed how much value you’ll get for a standard burger and fries at major fast food chains across the country, rating from the highest to lowest value. “In a time of tight budgets, it helps to look for value wherever you can find it. Burger sizing is one way to do that,” NetCredit content strategy manager Matt Pelkey tells Food & Wine. “In addition to overall pricing, finding which burger options offer the most bang for the buck can help consumers make more informed decisions when eating out.”

To determine their final rankings, researchers calculated the average price per ounce of a single-patty cheeseburger and medium french fry order at a chain’s locations across the country. The NetCredit team purchased and weighed each cheeseburger and order of fries, removing the bun and accoutrements to get an accurate patty weight. After comparing 14 restaurants — A&W, Burger King, Carl’s Jr., Culver’s, Dairy Queen, Five Guys, In-N-Out, Jack in the Box, McDonald’s, Shake Shack, Smashburger, Sonic, Wendy’s, and Whataburger — a Texas favorite came out on top.

Which fast food chains have the best-value burgers?

At an average price of $1.66 per ounce, Whataburger's burger offers the best value. Credit: Courtesy of NetCredit

Whataburger offers the least expensive cheeseburger when it comes to price per ounce, according to NetCredit’s findings. The Texas-based fast food chain sells a 3.56-ounce cheeseburger for $5.92, which shakes out to $1.66 per ounce.

This smaller Southern chain is trailed by national favorite McDonald’s, which came in second with a burger that costs $1.91 per ounce. Smashburger, Burger King, and Wendy’s were close behind the Golden Arches, with average prices of $1.96 per ounce, $1.99 per ounce, and $2.21 per ounce, respectively.

“In general, regional chains outperformed the national chains in the study. For instance, Whataburger, which operates primarily in Texas and Southern states, topped the value rankings for burgers,” Pelkey tells Food & Wine. “Some national chains, on the other hand, had smaller patties but remained competitive on price. Overall, the research suggests that regional chains may offer more generous portions to help differentiate [themselves], while larger national chains may prioritize cost efficiency.”

Which fast food chains have the biggest burgers?

NetCredit’s top-rated burger for value is also one of the biggest you’ll find in the fast food game. Whataburger’s cheeseburger had the largest patty out of the bunch, weighing in at 3.56 ounces. That means you’ll get the biggest burger and pay the least per ounce — what’s not to love about that?

Shake Shack’s regular cheeseburger was the second-largest patty the researchers studied, weighing around 3.03 ounces. (Unfortunately, its value by weight isn’t as great; the New York City-based chain charges an average of $2.27 per ounce.) The Dave’s Single Cheeseburger at Wendy’s was also fairly thick, measuring 2.75 ounces, while McDonald's took last place with a meager 1.06-ounce patty.

In addition to price and weight, analysts compared the protein content in each burger too, and it turns out that the heaviest patty doesn’t necessarily have the most protein. Smashburger’s classic All-American Smasher packs the most protein out of the lineup, with 15.7 grams of protein per 100 grams of burger. Jack in the Box, which offers 15 grams of protein, and Shake Shack, with 14.4 grams, are also protein-rich.

Which fast food chains have the best-value french fries?

Shake Shack's fries cost more up front, but their large size translates to a low price per weight. Credit: Courtesy of NetCredit

If french fries are your priority at the drive-thru, then Whataburger shouldn’t necessarily be your first choice fo saving money. Data showed that the best-value spots for burgers aren’t the same as the restaurants that offer the most affordable fries.

Customers pay more upfront for Shack Shack’s crinkle-cut fries, but the larger-than-average 6.17-ounce serving size works out to just $0.40 per ounce. Wisconsin-based chain Culver’s is also a contender for least expensive fries at $0.50 per ounce, while Five Guys ($0.54 per ounce), In-N-Out ($0.64 per ounce), and Smashburger ($0.66 per ounce) round out the top five.

Notably, the five restaurants with higher value fries are relatively smaller chains, with fewer than 2,000 locations in the United States. Larger chains like Wendy’s and Burger King, each with over 5,000 locations, lay claim to the next two spots on the list. McDonald’s comes in at a surprising ninth place, charging around $0.89 per ounce for its famous fries.

Although it has the best-value burger, Whataburger might be gaining ground on its profit margins by selling some of the most expensive fries in the business. A medium order of fries from the Southern chain will cost you nearly a dollar, or $0.99, per ounce. The disparity underscores that getting the most bang for your buck doesn’t just depend on where you eat but also on what you order.