Fast food doesn't make sense anymore. Inflation has hit other food options too, but fast food has lost the discount relative to better food that's supposed to be part of its fundamental contract.
McDonald's has the benefit of being open until midnight whereas my local restaurant closes at 7PM weekdays, but that's about it.
[1] Or maybe the Double Cheeseburger. I forget which is the better deal.
While the price varies I think the 20-piece is usually one of the better deals at any franchise, though maybe not always the best one. The price hasn't changed much, if at all, while more popular menu items have significantly inflated in price. Also, now that I think about it, some of the less popular breakfast sandwiches are often the better deals on the menu, though that's only for breakfast.
I agree fast food prices have inflated significantly across the board, both chain and mom-and-pop, and inflated more than groceries. But I think McDonalds is more conscientious than most about preserving some strong value items, presumably partly because of the communities they're expected to serve (a quid pro quo for their ubiquity?). The low-priced options have become more spartan, but less spartan than other fast food joints.
They definitely try to hide those basic burgers in favour of 'fancier' and much more expensive ones. Even just a Big Mac is £4.79 and chicken burgers are £5+.
E.g. $1 breakfast sandwich (normal price about $4.50 here). Also BOGO on various items. If our local sports team wins, there is usually a good deal offered that day.
Considering you don't tip, it's by far the cheapest way we eat out, and it's probably cheaper than a lot of stuff we eat at home.