7 Restaurant Chains Customers Say Are Actually “Way Overpriced”
Ever had that moment when the check lands on the table and you suddenly lose your appetite? Same here.
Just last month, I took my nephew out for a simple dinner and nearly fell out of my chair when I saw the total—let’s just say the water was the only thing that didn’t break the bank.
It’s no secret that restaurant prices are climbing across the board, but some chains seem to have taken things to the extreme, charging top-dollar for meals that feel more “meh” than memorable. Let’s dive into what frustrated diners are saying about which popular spots might not be worth the splurge.
1. Cheesecake Factory’s Wallet-Busting Menu
Holy moly, have you seen their novel-length menu lately? The Cheesecake Factory lures you in with those glass display cases of heavenly desserts, then blindsides you with $20+ pasta dishes that could feed a small village.
I once ordered their Famous Factory Meatloaf thinking it might be a reasonable splurge. My wallet is still recovering! While portion sizes are admittedly generous, customers increasingly question if quantity justifies the premium pricing.
The desserts that made them famous? Those cheesecake slices now hover around $10 each. Yikes! For many diners, what was once an occasional treat has become a special-occasion-only destination.
2. Applebee’s Not-So-Appetizing Prices
Remember when Applebee’s was the go-to spot for affordable casual dining? Those days seem like ancient history now. My friend group used to hit up their happy hour weekly—now we’re lucky if we go monthly.
The chain markets itself as neighborhood-friendly, but their prices have steadily climbed while food quality remains firmly in the ‘meh’ category. A basic burger and fries combo can set you back $15-18 before you even add a drink!
Customers frequently point out that for similar prices, they could enjoy a meal at a local non-chain restaurant with fresher ingredients and more character. Talk about a dining dilemma!
3. Panera’s Bread-Breaking Bank Account
$12 for soup in a bread bowl? You’ve gotta be kidding me! Panera Bread has somehow convinced us that their fast-casual offerings deserve near-restaurant prices, and I fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
Last Tuesday I grabbed a ‘quick lunch’ that cost me over $20 for a sandwich, side, and drink. The quality is decent, sure, but customers across social media platforms are questioning the value proposition of paying premium prices for what amounts to glorified cafe food.
The kicker? Their portion sizes have seemingly shrunk while prices continue to rise. Many loyal customers now report making Panera an occasional treat rather than a regular lunch spot.
4. Five Guys’ Five-Star Pricing
Burger lovers beware—your favorite Five Guys splurge might give your credit card a workout! A burger, fries, and drink can easily surpass $20 per person. My son’s baseball team stopped there after a game, and I needed a second job just to cover it.
The free peanuts and extra fries can’t quite soften the blow of their premium pricing. Customers particularly point to the basic cheeseburger hovering around $10-11 before adding any toppings or sides.
Don’t get me wrong—the burgers are juicy and delicious. But when fast-food competitors offer similar quality at significantly lower prices, many diners question if Five Guys’ experience justifies the steep premium.
5. California Pizza Kitchen’s Costly Crusts
Mamma mia! CPK might need to rename itself ‘California Pricy Kitchen’ based on what customers are saying. Their signature pizzas now routinely cost $20+ for what amounts to a personal-sized pie that barely feeds one hungry adult.
During our anniversary dinner last month, my husband and I split a pizza and a salad, and still dropped over $50 before tip! While their creative toppings and cauliflower crusts might be trendy, diners increasingly question whether these pizzas merit their luxury pricing.
The real heartburn comes when you realize you could get two large pizzas from a delivery chain for the same price as one CPK creation. No wonder customers are thinking twice before indulging in these gourmet pies!
6. Red Lobster’s Ocean of Expenses
Those addictive Cheddar Bay Biscuits come with a catch—everything else on the menu will cost you an arm and a fin! Red Lobster has long positioned itself as affordable seafood, but customers are increasingly shellshocked by the prices.
My mother-in-law’s birthday dinner there turned into a $200+ affair for just four people. The ultimate seafood feasts and lobster dishes routinely cross the $30 mark, putting them firmly in special-occasion territory for many families.
The real sting? Seafood quality that many diners describe as merely adequate rather than exceptional. When you’re paying premium prices for seafood that doesn’t taste noticeably better than frozen options from the grocery store, something seems fishy!
7. P.F. Chang’s Pricey Asian Fusion
Fortune cookies can’t predict the shock you’ll feel when the bill arrives at P.F. Chang’s! Their dramatic decor and signature horse statues apparently come with a premium surcharge built into every dish.
Last spring, I met a college friend there and nearly spilled my drink when I saw that most entrees hovered around $20-25. For dishes that often consist primarily of rice or noodles with modest protein portions, customers increasingly question the value proposition.
The final kick in the chopsticks? Many authentic local Asian restaurants offer similar or better dishes at half the price. No wonder diners are saying ‘check, please’ to P.F. Chang’s inflated pricing strategy!