According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for limited service meals and snacks are 130.98% higher in 2026 versus 2001 (a $26.20 difference in value).
Between 2001 and 2026:Limited service meals and snacks experienced an average inflation rate of 3.41% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, limited service meals and snacks costing $20 in the year 2001 would cost $46.20 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.45% during this same period, inflation for limited service meals and snacks was higher.
In the year 2001: Pricing changed by 3.06%, which is below the average yearly change for limited service meals and snacks during the 2001-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2001 (2.83%), inflation for limited service meals and snacks was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Limited service meals and snacks, over time, for $20 beginning in 2001. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | $20.00 | 3.06% |
| 2002 | $20.57 | 2.84% |
| 2003 | $20.96 | 1.91% |
| 2004 | $21.64 | 3.24% |
| 2005 | $22.34 | 3.25% |
| 2006 | $23.00 | 2.94% |
| 2007 | $23.83 | 3.60% |
| 2008 | $24.99 | 4.88% |
| 2009 | $26.03 | 4.17% |
| 2010 | $26.26 | 0.86% |
| 2011 | $26.85 | 2.25% |
| 2012 | $27.70 | 3.16% |
| 2013 | $28.22 | 1.90% |
| 2014 | $28.92 | 2.46% |
| 2015 | $29.81 | 3.10% |
| 2016 | $30.61 | 2.68% |
| 2017 | $31.36 | 2.46% |
| 2018 | $32.23 | 2.76% |
| 2019 | $33.23 | 3.10% |
| 2020 | $34.66 | 4.32% |
| 2021 | $37.00 | 6.74% |
| 2022 | $39.68 | 7.24% |
| 2023 | $42.45 | 6.99% |
| 2024 | $44.33 | 4.44% |
| 2025 | $45.73 | 3.14% |
| 2026 | $46.20 | 1.02%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Limited service meals and snacks:
| Year | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 101.208 | 103.550 | 106.325 | 109.583 | 112.700 | 114.850 | 118.567 | 122.417 | 126.017 | 130.553 | 136.930 | 142.641 | 143.863 | 147.094 | 151.747 | 154.631 | 158.432 | 163.340 | 167.719 | 171.842 | 176.582 | 182.053 | 189.916 | 202.720 | 217.393 | 232.597 | 242.913 | 250.552 | 253.116 |