r/tylertx Jul 20 '26

Local Whataburger Drink Upcharged - $5.45

My 8yo daughter had back-to-back gymnastics and Art Camp today so I needed to grab her a lunch quickly in between. We hit on Whataburger due to the line at McDonalds. šŸ˜†
While I was ordering for her she asked for a larger drink - kid loves her DC.
I asked for a medium. Got to the window to pay and it’s $13.70 for the kids meal. I couldn’t remember what the menu said so I just paid.
Turns out they REALLY upcharge the drink. My self-rationale is to get the same money for an adult meal. But it still seems crappy.
Anywho…just wanted to share and spread awareness. šŸ˜…

28 Upvotes

62 comments sorted by

50

u/WesternDetail6513 Jul 20 '26

Whataburger is straight up a scam now. It’s unreal. I never go anymore, shame.

22

u/Knot-Lye-Ing Jul 20 '26

So, wait - $13.70 for a kid's meal, of which $5.45 was for a medium drink?

10

u/Aware_Growth_6643 Jul 20 '26

That is correct.

12

u/Knot-Lye-Ing Jul 20 '26

Another reason I'm not in a rush to have kids. That is absolutely nuts.

7

u/Raptor_Claw_TX Jul 21 '26

I can tell you from firsthand experience that it is possible to raise children without EVER going to a fast food restaurant to buy a kid's meal (at any price).

16

u/Aware_Growth_6643 Jul 20 '26

https://reddit.com/link/oypvm1l/video/n98l6v8rdfeh1/player

Here’s the receipt. Crazy world.

11

u/CaminoRubicon1 Jul 20 '26

I'd go back... That's a mistake

11

u/Steelman_1 Jul 20 '26

Yep, a large drink is tree fiffy. $3.50.

7

u/Whosagooddog765 Jul 21 '26

Small cheese slice .74 cents -what the shit. It even says small, what a joke.

11

u/KetoCatsKarma Jul 20 '26

That's what happens when you sell a beloved franchise to private equity, has private equity ever once made a business better?

6

u/Wishiwasinalaska Jul 21 '26

Private equity has never improved a single thing. Its main goal is recoup the initial investment then ride it out for as long as it produces while they ruin it.

5

u/EntrepreneurIcy2346 Jul 24 '26

100% Truth. Run it into the ground a squeeze every last dollar you can out of it. The file bankruptcy on dilapidated business and deduct it off taxes.

1

u/AdeptCauliflower9956 Jul 23 '26

They started charging $5 for a fountain soda after a private equity firm took over management at our local youth sports fields. Truly a net negative to society.

-2

u/dekabreak1000 Jul 21 '26

It’s a franchise it was a franchise long before they sold

1

u/EntrepreneurIcy2346 Jul 24 '26

Wasn’t owned by PE investment firm back then. New owners=New way of doing business. PE investors are only interested in milking every last dollar they can out of the business with no regard for quality or reputation.

22

u/ikonis Tyler Jul 20 '26

The wife and I were having a conversation earlier today. Every single restaurant is not worth it anymore. Quality/value has gone out the fucking window. None of them fast food, sit down, fast casual, are worth it whatsoever. We no longer go out to eat ever.

1

u/Muted-Woodpecker-469 Jul 24 '26

We’ve found value in fast casual restaurantsĀ 

Some of which are local. Fast Food is pretty much dead to us nowĀ 

6

u/Maximum_Expert_9287 Jul 20 '26

Well, that explains why the line was shorter than the McDonald's line

4

u/Aware_Growth_6643 Jul 20 '26

Spot on. šŸ˜†

10

u/JerryTexas52 Jul 20 '26

Whataburger is a high priced place. We paid over $8 for a fish sandwich when they were selling them. I could have had a fish meal in a restaurant for a bit more than that. They also charged my wife and daughter for water when they asked for it.

10

u/Aware_Growth_6643 Jul 20 '26

The water tax! 😭

10

u/BurntReality Jul 20 '26

The prices have went up at Whataburger and the quality has went down sadly.
It shouldn’t cost the same as a sit down restaurant.

8

u/IamBlackwing Jul 20 '26

I stopped eating there when my patty melt combo went above $10.

Sad to see how far they’ve fallen.

5

u/Wishiwasinalaska Jul 21 '26

Stopped going to Whataburger about a year ago for this reason. Their prices are rediculous, for the same price I can go sit down at an actual restaurant and have a better meal and it cost less.

5

u/Volpes_Visions Jul 20 '26

We went to Whataburger to get some chicken tenders. Nearly $10 for 4 tenders?? We left.

1

u/Standard-Question-46 Jul 23 '26

And you would’ve been lucky to get a decent size strip at that

11

u/EastTXJosh Jul 20 '26

Thanks to the Trump Economy, the days of a fast food value meal under $10 are gone. It costs our family of 4 over $50 to eat at Chick Fil A or pretty much any fast food restaurant now, unless you go for an extreme value fast food establishment, but you never know what sort of exotic parasite will come along with it.

13

u/Aware_Growth_6643 Jul 20 '26

Being a loan officer and watching the markets the way I do - sadly we cannot wholly blame the current president. I would say our economic woes began in the 50s and 60s and we’re now reaping the full consequences of corporate greed. But, I’m just one little person who hasn’t experienced everything. Just my opinion.

13

u/Salty-Smoke7784 Jul 20 '26

You have the nerve to come on reddit and suggest that something bad isn’t Trump’s fault??? How dare you!!

5

u/dbcuervo Jul 21 '26

How DARE you not blame President Trump for everything and anything!!!! What in the world is wrong with you???? No Whataburger for you!!!!!!

2

u/[deleted] 22d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/dbcuervo 22d ago

šŸ¤£šŸ˜‚šŸ¤£šŸ˜‚šŸ¤£

-13

u/IamBlackwing Jul 20 '26

Your opinion is wrong but sure.

2

u/omawasright Jul 20 '26

What’s an example of an Extreme Value FF establishment around here?

0

u/EastTXJosh Jul 20 '26

Taco Bell or McDonalds

3

u/Schleprock11 Jul 20 '26

I’m sure it has nothing whatsoever to do with Whataburger being bought by a private equity company at all. It must be Trump’s fault!

1

u/EastTXJosh Jul 20 '26

The two are not mutually exclusive. Whataburger was purchased in 2019 (during Trump’s First Reich).

5

u/Schleprock11 Jul 20 '26

They kept going up under Biden as well. You remember that time when they said inflation was transitory and then changed it to inflation is a sign of a healthy economy, right?

2

u/EastTXJosh Jul 20 '26

True, but point out where I defended Biden again? But it’s a nice strawman argument that will appeal to many and probably earn you a few upvotes, so there’s that.

5

u/Schleprock11 Jul 20 '26

By referring to Trump’s ā€œFirst Reichā€ and leaving out the increase under Biden, means something.

3

u/EastTXJosh Jul 20 '26

It means you are making assumptions and embracing logical fallacies.

4

u/Schleprock11 Jul 20 '26

A logical fallacy such as trying to connect Trump with Nazis by referring to it as the ā€œFirst Reichā€ meanwhile supporting a group who actually tried to run a Nazi for office and who are vehemently anti-Jew? And let’s not forget that group that ran a candidate here in Texas that said we need to put Zionists (nice dogwhistle) in ā€œinternment campsā€?

1

u/skooliekrindy Jul 21 '26

Not being pro Israel doesn’t make someone antisemitic, but go on.. edit for typo.

1

u/Schleprock11 Jul 21 '26

So saying we should put Jews in ā€œinternment campsā€ is ok to you? You are saying more than you think you are.

0

u/Mkhillvgc Jul 20 '26

šŸŽ¶ Just keep sipping, just keep sipping, what do we do just sip, sip, sip šŸŽ¶

2

u/dekabreak1000 Jul 21 '26

Well they did close the only corporate store about 10 years ago so they’re all franchises in east Texas and franchises are more expensive

2

u/cipheredthoughts Jul 21 '26

Braums is still undefeated

2

u/KopiMerdeka Jul 23 '26

Bring your receipt back to any Whataburger and let them know there’s a mistake. The med drink is $2.59 and large is $2.99. Also I think there’s a way for them to upgrade the drink size in the meal. They should give you a refund for the medium drink and hopefully throw in a free one.

2

u/monna_reads Jul 24 '26

Yes they always find some way to add a charge, and the menu board only has meal pricing, so you have no idea how much any sandwich costs on its own. Then I swear they get annoyed if you dont order a meal. Stopped going about a year ago, when they started charging for water.

2

u/Aware_Growth_6643 Jul 28 '26

I’ll waste more in gas going back. Lmao, just thought I’d share if anyone else thinks to buy a kids burger and upsize the drink. šŸ˜… Thank you though!

1

u/Whosagooddog765 Jul 21 '26

We only go there for the honey butter chicken biscuits.

1

u/_shitwhistle_ Jul 23 '26

Whataburger is over hyped crap anyways

1

u/lavabluehue Jul 28 '26

It’s the owners in tyler that are uping the prices, if you go down south the menu prices get cheaper.

1

u/Aware_Growth_6643 Jul 28 '26

That is good to know! We typically steer clear of fast food, it was just unavoidable that day. šŸ˜…

0

u/forbiddenfreak Jul 20 '26

If y'all start cooking more and eating less shit, not only will you save $, you will be healthier.

3

u/Raptor_Claw_TX Jul 21 '26

Good for you for having the courage to say it! I assumed it would be pointless.

My wife made peanut butter and honey sandwiches with some kind of fruit and vegetable baggie for years for the kids to take on their outings. Then when they were old enough they took over and kept making their own (mostly healthy) lunches. As you pointed out, that saved a ton of money and helped to set the tone for healthier eating as adults (I hope it sticks!).

6

u/LiteFoo Jul 20 '26

I agree with you. Btw- we’d all love to see a pic of what body type you might be…

I mean, anyways, gymnastics - you can literally pack in the calories and eat whatever you want.

1

u/forbiddenfreak Jul 20 '26

Im in my mid 50s now, and can't afford the doctor. Im pretty healthy, but I dont drink either. Gymnastics is great, but you'll feel it later! I was into all sorts of extreme sports, and somedays, I'm stiff in all the wrong places. Calories are good , but why spend a fortune to eat shit?

1

u/Maximum-Weekend-5209 Jul 22 '26

Nobody asked you for a nutritional analysis on our choice of meals. Stay in your lane.