On those days when you don’t feel like cooking or are in need of a quick meal, many Australians turn to a fast food option that saves them time and eliminates the need for a clean up. But while fast food chains remain popular around the country, our willingness to hand over cash for a fast feed has changed.
While in past years, Australians have been happy to spend big on fast food, Canstar Blue’s 2024 survey shows people are spending significantly less at quick service (fast food) restaurants than in previous years.
Average fast food spend in Australia
Australians spend an average of $38 on fast food per month, according to Canstar Blue’s latest survey of quick service restaurants. That’s $456 per year. This is significantly less than the average spend in 2021, when Canstar Blue last surveyed this category. Back then Australians spent an average of $59 per month on fast food, which equates to $708 per year.
Average fast food spend by state
Those living in Victoria and New South Wales spend the most on fast food, with both states shelling out $40 on average at fast food chains per month. Queenslanders follow closely behind at $38 per month, while Western Australians fork out $35 per month at fast food restaurants.
Meanwhile, South Australians spend $33 per month on a quick meal.
Tasmanians spend the least on fast food, handing over $29 on average per month. This is in stark contrast to Canstar Blue’s 2021 fast food survey results, which found Tasmanians were spending the most on fast food at $66 per month.
In fact, every state and territory is spending less on fast food than they were in 2021. That year, when Australia was still in the grips of the coronavirus pandemic, Aussies were spending $59 on average per month at fast food restaurants. Canstar Blue’s latest survey shows this has dropped to $38 on average per month.
This table displays the average fast food monthly spend by state, based on a Canstar Blue survey of more than 2,400 people.
| State | Average monthly fast food spend |
|---|---|
| Tasmania | $29 |
| Queensland | $38 |
| New South Wales | $40 |
| Victoria | $40 |
| Western Australia | $35 |
| South Australia | $33 |
Source: Canstar Blue research, February 2024.
Average fast food spend by age group
Our research found those aged 40-59 spend the most on fast food per month, shelling out $44. They were closely followed by those aged 18-39 who hand over $43 per month for a quick feed. The next biggest spenders were those aged 50-59, who dish out $33 per month. Those aged 70 and older spend the least on fast food at just $27 per month.
This table shows the average fast food monthly spend by age group, based on a Canstar Blue survey of more than 2,400 people.
| Age group | Average fast food bill |
|---|---|
| 18 to 29 | $43 |
| 30 to 39 | $43 |
| 40 to 49 | $44 |
| 50 to 59 | $33 |
| 60 to 69 | $29 |
| 70 and older | $27 |
Source: Canstar Blue research, February 2024.
4 ways to save money on takeaway
There are easy ways to score a cheap feed, aside from ordering a ‘meal deal’. We’ve listed some below:
- Download your favourite fast food app
Many takeout chains such as KFC and Hungry Jack’s provide app-exclusive offers, plus a rewards program, similar to Flybuys and Woolworths’ Everyday rewards, which lets you earn points with every purchase and exchange these for a delicious deal. The MyMaccas app from McDonald’s, for example, has a virtual ‘punch card’ which lets you snag a free beverage when you stamp in five McCafé drinks.
- Check discount apps
There’s a plethora of discounts out there, thanks to many restaurants now partnering with various food and drink discount apps.
- Scroll through cashback websites
Cashback websites like Shopback and Cashrewards essentially ‘reward’ customers by returning a portion of their purchases when they buy from partner retailers. You can usually claim these online or in-store. Keep in mind that various sites work differently.
- Be wary of restaurant delivery services
Ordering from a restaurant delivery service like Uber Eats can certainly be convenient, plus offer great deals like free delivery ─ especially when you’re a new user. But keep in mind that the prices of specific dishes may be more expensive through these services compared to when you’re purchasing in-store or through the fast food chain’s official app.
Compare Fast Food (Quick Service) Restaurants
Picture credits: JeniFoto/ Shutterstock.com, GiselleA/ Shutterstock.com, Nevodka/ Shutterstock.com, Dan Rentea/ Shutterstock.com.
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