‘Fast food is becoming a luxury’: Five Guys criticized after receipt goes viral

(NEXSTAR) – Some social media users are criticizing Five Guys for its menu prices after a $24 receipt went viral on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

On March 1, an account named Wall Street Silver posted an image of the receipt, allegedly taken from Reddit, alongside the caption: “Five Guys prices are out of control. $24 for one person.”

The receipt shows the customer paid $12.49 for a bacon cheeseburger, $2.89 for a regular soda, and $5.19 for a small fry. After tax and a $2.19 tip, the total amounted to $24.10. It’s unclear, however, when the meal was purchased, or where.

Within a matter of days, the post has garnered more than 25 million views, 77,000 likes and 12,000 replies on the social media site.

“Fast food is becoming a luxury item for Americans,” one of the more popular replies claimed.

Another X user tried to add context to the heated online debate, claiming that “Five Guys has always been more premium” than other burger spots.

Five Guys did not immediately respond to Nexstar’s request for comment.

The burger joint isn’t the only fast-food restaurant that has faced criticism in recent months for pricey menu items. Back in November, a resurfaced video of a $16 McDonald’s receipt created a buzz online, with several media outlets reporting on the controversial price tag. Some social media users blamed the economy while others took aim at the Biden administration. That viral McDonald’s meal included a limited-edition Quarter Pounder, a large fry and a large Sprite.

Wendy’s also set the internet ablaze last month when a slew of reports suggested the company would test out dynamic pricing, or surge pricing, at some of its restaurants.

The company later clarified its stance in a statement to the Associated Press: “Wendy’s will not implement surge pricing, which is the practice of raising prices when demand is highest. We didn’t use that phrase, nor do we plan to implement that practice.” 

NewsNation reported that other chains — such as Chipotle, Starbucks, and Pizza Hut — have also raised their prices. Fast-food prices jumped 6.2% in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ October report.

While inflation has shown signs of slowing, restaurants are dealing with the rising cost of food products and the increasing cost of labor. It’s likely that prices for many consumer goods won’t return to pre-pandemic levels anytime soon, so economists have suggested raising workers’ wages to help people pay for them, the Associated Press reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.