Fast food prices have been climbing, and finding a real burger deal feels harder than ever. But one chain is still delivering a full meal—burger, nuggets, fries, and a drink—all for just five bucks. Wendy’s has kept its $5 Biggie Bag front and center while competitors cycle through limited-time offers, making it the easiest bet for anyone hunting serious value without hunting for coupons.
1. The Cheapest Go-To: Wendy’s $5 Biggie Bag
Wendy’s calls it the $5 legend, and honestly, that name fits. Walk into almost any location and you can grab a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger (or pick from a Double Stack, Bacon Double Stack, Crispy Chicken, or Crispy Chicken BLT), plus four-piece nuggets, a junior fry, and a small drink—all for five dollars. Fine print says price and participation may vary by location, but most stores honor the advertised deal.
Among national chains, this is the most reliable burger bundle at the five-dollar mark. Other chains roll out similar offers, but they come and go. Wendy’s keeps the Biggie Bag on the menu as a core value anchor, not a fleeting promotion.
If you want bacon on your burger without paying extra, the Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger option is a total win. You get protein, crunch, sides, and a drink—all without breaking a ten-dollar bill. That consistency makes it the easiest yes when hunger hits and your wallet is light.
2. How It Compares (McDonald’s & Burger King)
McDonald’s ran a $5 Meal Deal through much of summer 2025, bundling a McDouble or McChicken with fries, four-piece nuggets, and a drink. Great value on paper, but it was explicitly marketed as limited-time. Once the promo window closes, the deal disappears—or the price jumps.
Burger King has cycled through multiple five-dollar plays this year, including the $5 Your Way deal and $5 Duos that often include a Whopper Jr. or Bacon Cheeseburger with sides. Again, solid bundles, but they rotate in and out like seasonal menu items. You never know if today is the day your local BK still has it.
Right now, all three chains have offered burger bundles near the five-dollar mark in 2025. But Wendy’s is the one still advertising the Biggie Bag as an everyday anchor, not a flash sale. That makes it the safest walk-in-and-pay-the-least option across most U.S. markets, especially if you show up without checking an app first.
3. Real-World Pricing Caveat (Why Your App Might Show More)
Fast-food prices are not universal. Franchisees set their own numbers, so a Wendy’s in downtown Chicago might charge more than one in a smaller Iowa town—even for the same Biggie Bag. Open the app in different zip codes and you will see different totals. That is standard across every major chain, not just Wendy’s.
Recent inflation and labor costs have pushed single-item prices up across the board. A standalone burger that cost two dollars a couple years ago might now run three or more. That price creep is exactly why bundles are your best friend right now.
When you buy the Biggie Bag, you are essentially locking in a bundled rate that beats buying each item separately. Even if your local store charges five twenty-nine instead of exactly five dollars, you are still getting way more food per dollar than ordering à la carte. Always check the app for your specific location before heading out, and expect some variation—it is the new normal in fast food.
4. If You’re Laser-Focused on the Absolute Cheapest Burger Only
Maybe you do not want fries, nuggets, or a drink—just a burger, plain and simple. In that case, Wendy’s app is still worth checking first. In many markets, the Jr. Cheeseburger remains one of the lowest posted prices for a national-chain cheeseburger. Exact à-la-carte prices are not published nationally and shift by store, so your mileage will vary.
Here is the kicker: when you fold that Jr. Cheeseburger into the Biggie Bag, the per-burger cost—with all the extras—often beats what rivals charge for a base cheeseburger alone. You are getting nuggets, fries, and a drink essentially for free or pennies more. That math makes the bundle the smarter play even if you originally wanted just the sandwich.
If you truly want only the burger and nothing else, compare app prices across Wendy’s, McDonald’s, and Burger King in your area. But nine times out of ten, the Biggie Bag will deliver more bang for your buck than any single-item purchase.
5. Pro Tips To Pay Even Less
Wendy’s app is loaded with rotating digital exclusives—buy-one-get-one deals, weekend boosts, and free delivery promos that can drop your effective meal cost below five dollars on the right day. Check the offers tab every time before you order. New deals pop up weekly, sometimes daily.
Be flexible with your sandwich choice inside the Biggie Bag. The Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger gives you bacon at the same sticker price as the plain options, so always pick it unless you have a specific craving. That little upgrade adds flavor without adding cost.
Compare nearby stores in the app before you hit checkout. Franchisees set their own prices, so a location one mile away might charge fifty cents less for the exact same bag. It sounds small, but those savings add up over time. If you are ordering for a group or eating Wendy’s regularly, those few taps can save you real money each month without any extra effort.
The Verdict
For a burger today at the lowest reliable spend, Wendy’s $5 Biggie Bag edges out other national options on consistency and value, with bacon as a kicker when you pick the Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger. If a McDonald’s or Burger King $5 promo is actively running in your area, those can tie the price—but Wendy’s remains the most continuously advertised $5 burger-included deal as of October 2025.