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McDonald's and Burger King slip down list of fast food meal deals as ratings show which saves YOU the most cash
A fast food chain deal war has erupted this summer - finally offering Americans some relief from two years of price rises.
But not all deals are created equal, according to a comprehensive study of the nine main offers.
Best is Taco Bell's Luxe Cravings Box, which costs $7 and provides food worth $15.65. That is a saving of 55 percent on the five-item meal.
Bottom of the table is Popeyes' Big Box, which provides $8.50 worth of food for $6.99.
The raft of deals were all rushed out in June after McDonald's fired the starting gun on a the price war with its $5 meal over.
That deal - offering items that cost about double when bought a la carte - came in third in the FinanceBuzz survey.
Summary of the findings - scroll down for more details on each meal
FinanceBuzz broke down how much each value meal costs, how much it would cost to buy the items in the bundle individually, and the savings difference between those costs.
Josh Koebert, researcher and study author at FinanceBuzz, said: 'Taco Bell's Luxe Cravings box offers the best value. Part of the reason those savings stack up is due to the number of items it includes. The box comes with five total items: three tacos/burritos, a side of chips, and a drink.
'By bundling so many items together in a single meal, Taco Bell is able to stack smaller savings on the costs of each item into one package - saving customers a good chunk of change when added together.
Koebert said customers should do a little research of their own when they are weighing the value of the deals - since they can vary in different areas.
'Every major fast-food chain has a mobile app now that shows menu prices at nearby locations, making it easier than ever for someone to figure out the kind of deal they're getting.
'Some literal back-of-the-napkin math can quickly reveal whether a bundled meal is worth the price or not.'
Chains are reeling from falling customer numbers as Americans fed up with two years of price rises stay away - so are rolling out all these offers.
Burger King's $5 Your Way Meal - choice of one of three sandwiches plus four chicken nuggets, fries and a soft drink - was the first to hit restaurants in June.
The chain rushed it out ahead of key rival McDonald's, which had actually announced its deal first.
McDonald's is similar - and includes either a McChicken or McDouble, four-piece chicken nuggets, fries and a drink.
At first introduced for four weeks, it has now been extended through the rest of the summer at most of its restaurants.
Wendy's has a $3 breakfast offer and also a four-item $5 meal similar to McDonald's and BK's.
Starbucks also made a surprise entry into the value war with a coffee and food breakfast combo from $5.
A full list of value meal items
Taco Bell Luxe Cravings Box
Value meal cost: $7.00
Included items: Chalupa Supreme®, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Double Stacked Taco, Chips and Nacho Cheese Sauce, and medium drink
Combined menu price of individual items: $15.65
Savings: $8.65 (55%)
Wendy's $5 Biggie Bag
Value meal cost: $5.00
Included items: Choice of Crispy Chicken Sandwich or Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, 4-piece chicken nuggets, junior fries, small drink, and small Frosty
Combined menu price of individual items: $10.75
Savings: $5.75 (53%)
McDonald's $5 Meal Deal
Value meal cost: $5.00
Included items: Choice of McChicken® or McDouble®, 4-piece Chicken McNuggets®, small World Famous Fries®, and small drink
Combined menu price of individual items: $9.96
Savings: $4.96 (50%)
Pizza Hut My Hut Box™
Value meal cost: $6.99
Included items: Choice of 2-topping Personal Pan Pizza® or half order of Melts plus choice of side of fries or 4-piece boneless wings
Combined menu price of individual items: $12.29
Savings: $5.30 (43%)
Burger King $5 Your Way Meal
Value meal cost: $5.00
Included items: Choice of Whopper® Jr., Chicken Jr., or Bacon Cheeseburger, plus 4-piece chicken nuggets, value fries, and value drink
Combined menu price of individual items: $8.66
Savings: $3.66 (42%)
KFC Taste of KFC 2 Piece Deal
Value meal cost: $4.99
Included items: 2 pieces of dark meat chicken (1 drumstick and 1 thigh), side of mashed potatoes and gravy, and biscuit
Combined menu price of individual items: $8.20
Savings: $3.21 (39%)
Starbucks Pairings Menu
Value meal cost: $6.00
Included items: Tall iced or hot coffee or tea and breakfast sandwich
Combined menu price of individual items: $9.20
Savings: $3.20 (35%)
Arby's Shake Up Your Burger Meal
Value meal cost: $9.99
Included items: Deluxe burger, medium fries (curly or crinkle), and a regular shake
Combined menu price of individual items: $14.37
Savings: $4.38 (30%)
Popeyes Big Box
Value meal cost: $6.99
Included items: 2 pieces of chicken, two regular sides, and biscuit
Combined menu price of individual items: $8.50
Savings: $1.51 (18%)
SOURCE: FinanceBuzz