Sky-High Five Guys Receipt Goes Viral, Sparking Debate About Chain’s Value

Many fast food chains across the country have been criticized for rising prices and the elimination of value menus amid soaring inflation that’s only leveled off recently. But a viral receipt from Five Guys seemingly goes beyond the pale, after an anonymous diner was charged $24 for a burger, fries, and a drink.

The receipt, which supposedly originated on Reddit and later went viral on X, formerly Twitter, shows that a bacon cheeseburger with ketchup and mustard cost $12.49, along with a “little” fries for $5.19 and a regular-sized soda for $2.98. Factoring in $1.34 with sales tax and a $2.19 tip, the order came to an eye-popping $24.10 total.

“Five Guys prices are out of control, $24 for one person,” the user wrote, adding in a follow-up post that they were expecting Five Guys to cost about $12 to $15 per person and that $22 before the tip “just seems to cross a line.”

Five Guys prices are out of control.

$24 for one person

Source: Reddit pic.twitter.com/wcXgbjGnI4

— Wall Street Silver (@WallStreetSilv) March 1, 2024

Although Men’s Journal was unable to confirm the original Reddit post, we did find other recent posts with similar receipts totaling $24.93 and $25.20; both for a bacon cheeseburger, small order of fries, and regular or large-sized soda. So while pricing at fast food chains varies by location, it seems as though this is indeed overall an accurate price for the meal.

In either case, as the post went viral and other users jumped into the fray, it seems as though most people were in agreement that the cost of the meal was unreasonable.

“$5 for a small fry is highway robbery,” wrote one user. “It’s literally just a potato and some salt. Cost them a quarter to make.” Another user jumped in to add that they “know a way to save $2.19 on that real quick,” referring to the less than 10 percent tip on the meal. “Five guys was always overpriced. Same meal was $15 ten years ago,” added a third person.

A few others pointed out that In-N-Out, another beloved burger chain, charges about half the price for comparable food.

this 3×3 cheeseburger at In-N-Out was $7.30 https://t.co/oueTVJU38s pic.twitter.com/kxe5dwjDAa

— Roy Drones Jr (@chiweethedog) March 1, 2024

In N Out, double double, fries and drink was $11. https://t.co/ZIOF5so5Vy

— ? (@HellaADZ) March 2, 2024

Interestingly enough, the viral receipt comes in the wake of Wendy’s coming under fire when plans for apparent surge pricing came to light last month. The chain has since walked back the reports, stating that new digital menu boards would allow for the company to “change the menu offerings at different times of day and offer discounts and value offers to our customers more easily.”