The cost of a stress-free midweek dinner with no dishes can be kept to a minimum, according to personal finance experts who have come up with some hacks for hungry consumers.
Research has shown that ordering food stalls costs the British £ 1,000 a year – an average of around £ 80 a month – and this was estimated before the pandemic broke out.
Research by the British Takeaway Campaign (BTC) suggests the sector is growing about twice as fast as the economy as a whole, and spending could soar to £ 15 billion by 2023.
This means that more and more Scots will pay for a Burger King, Nandos, or McDonalds at home, so we can also see if there are any ways to keep the costs down.
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Find out how to get 50% off a Big Mac
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Ocean Finance personal finance experts have shared their favorite fast food menu hacks that they say will help consumers get the most out of freebees and cheaper menu options.
Tips for nandos
- On a naughty date? If you order both meals with fries, switch to a large serving as it contains 20% more fries than two regular servings.
- Is butterfly chicken your favorite dish? Swap it for half a chicken and it’s 50p cheaper (£ 7.75 vs. £ 8.25) and you get more chicken.
- Make your own PERinaise. If your local nandos has plain mayo, add peri salt and save 60p per pot.
- Do you order half a chicken and two normal side dishes for two? A “full platter” (a whole chicken, 2 large or 4 regular fries) costs £ 21.95 while two separate meals (half a chicken and two side dishes) cost £ 23.50 – a saving of £ 1.55 on that corresponds exactly to the same food.
- Nandos offers a 20% discount (up to £ 20). to all police, fire brigade, ambulance and NHS employees. All you need to do is show your photo ID before ordering.
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Tips for McDonalds
- Is a £ 3.19 McChicken sandwich your favorite? Try the Saver Menu 99p Mayo Chicken – it’s made with the same ingredients but with a slightly smaller serving of chicken. For less than a third the price, you could eat two mayo chicken burgers and still save money.
- You can make your own Big Mac for half the usual price. Instead, order a double cheeseburger and swap out the existing sauce for Big Mac sauce and shredded lettuce. The taste is pretty similar, but without the extra bread in the middle. If they don’t give you Big Mac sauce, mustard and mayo is a good alternative,
- Did you know you can ask for extra McFlurry toppings for just 20p?
- To get a fresh meal off the grill, ask for a burger with something missing (cucumber, sauce, tomato) or unsalted fries.
- For a half-price Big Mac (and other deals), check your receipt from your last visit. McDonald’s has the option to take a survey online and get a discount on your next order – including a 50% discount on a Big Mac.
Tips for Burger King
- Order the awkwardly named Suicide Burger, an off-the-menu special that includes 4x beef patties, 4x cheese slices, bacon and a secret special sauce. Not for the faint of heart, this is a lot of food.
- Did you know you can order a box of half onion rings and half french fries? This makes it easier to choose between the two.
- The £ 3.99 Double Bacon Cheeseburger can be replicated for £ 2.47 – a savings of £ 1.52. Just order a plain double cheeseburger from the King Saver menu (£ 1.49) and add two sides of bacon (98p).
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