Fast food prices rise across Finland as chains adjust to costs

Fast food prices have risen significantly in recent years. Last week, McDonald’s management in the United States acknowledged that prices have become too steep for some consumers. In fact, the company’s prices have doubled in the U.S. over the past ten years.

We reached out to fast food chains operating in Finland, including Hesburger, Burger King, McDonald’s, and ROLLS, to find out if prices have also become too high in Finland. Prices for fast food in Finland have indeed increased recently. According to Yle’s report from June last year, the prices of popular burger meals at Burger King, McDonald’s, and Hesburger have risen faster than general food and restaurant meal prices. The data collected by Yle indicated that the average cost of a burger meal last year was around nine euros. Meals at Hesburger and McDonald’s are roughly the same price on average, and cheaper than at Burger King.

All the chains contacted by Yle confirm that they have increased prices in recent years, citing the steep rise in raw material costs as the main reason. However, both Hesburger and Burger King state that they haven’t raised their prices in over a year. Burger King’s chain manager, Siru Kalpio, noted that prices were adjusted in 2022 and early 2023, but have remained stable this year. Hesburger’s CEO, Kari Salmela, echoed that there has been no price hike in the last year and a half, asserting that current prices are at the right level with no pressure to raise them.

In contrast, McDonald’s in Finland reported that the price increases this year have been more moderate than in previous years. CEO Olli Johansson does not believe that prices are currently too high. Meanwhile, ROLLS’ CEO Arto Virtakari mentioned that they have also raised burger meal prices in recent years, including this year, stating that lowering prices would require cutting back on the quality of ingredients.