Fast food used to be a cheap meal option. Why has that changed?

Fast-food restaurants, once the first stop for Americans looking to get at least one meal in before a long work day, are fighting to win back customers.

Breakfast sales across the fast-food sector have seen declines, the leaders of McDonald's and Wendy's said during early August earnings calls. Families are reevaluating whether the quick trip to the drive-through is worth the price, too, experts told USA TODAY.

In response, some chains are adjusting prices. But, with Americans once again feeling the effects of inflation, it's unclear if the moves will be enough in the near term to bring back customers.

Some value equations no longer balance due to inflation, said Neil Saunders, a retail analyst at the research and analytics firm GlobalData.

"McDonald’s, for example, is supposed to be an inexpensive treat or a cheap fast-food fix. It is now a relatively expensive purchase, especially for a family," Saunders told USA TODAY. "Many don’t think it’s worth the money, so they cut back on dining there."