10 Restaurant Chains That Cost More Than Families Think They’re Worth

Going out to eat used to be one of the easiest ways for families to take a break from cooking. But with restaurant prices climbing, even familiar chains can leave parents staring at the receipt and wondering when a simple meal became such a big expense.

Chain restaurants still offer plenty of convenience, especially for busy families who want predictable menus, kid-friendly options, and a night without dishes. The problem is that higher menu prices, smaller portions, extra fees, and costly add-ons can make some of those once-reliable spots feel harder to justify.

This list looks at 10 restaurant chains that many diners feel no longer deliver the same value for the money. Some may still serve good food, but for families watching their budgets, the final bill can make the experience feel less worthwhile than it used to.

Renowned French chef Joël Robuchon had over 20 restaurants worldwide at the peak of his career, though several have closed in recent years, and fewer than 20 remain as of 2025. He was awarded a total of 32 Michelin Guide stars throughout his career, the most of any chef at the time. He coached many famous chefs, including Eric Ripert, Gordon Ramsay, and Michael Caines.

Joël Robuchon passed away on August 6, 2018, at the age of 73 and is considered one of the greatest chefs of all time. Their menus feature Burgundy truffle tartlets, Key West shrimp, Maine lobster, Wagyu beef, Cappellini pasta with sea urchin, rabbit, and more. To give you an idea, lunch is approximately $89 for a 3-course meal and $155 for a 4-course meal per person.

In addition, there are tasting menus with 12 courses, which can cost approximately $500, and tasting courses with wine pairing that can cost almost $2000 or more per person. Keep in mind that most of these prices do not include drinks and taxes. Prices vary depending on the location.

With around 60 restaurants worldwide as of 2025, Gordon Ramsay has become a culinary legend. From bustling street burgers, bread street kitchens, street pizza, food on the go at airports, pubs and grills, food markets, fish and chips, Hell's Kitchen, Ramsay steak, and more. You can experience a unique dining adventure at any of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants.

Gordon Ramsay began his culinary adventure at a young age and has traveled the world and learned about various cultures and their cuisines. He has taken all that he has acquired knowledge in and put everything into practice in his culinary businesses.

Prices vary by location, and depending on the menu and meal, your dining experience can cost approximately $150 to $300 per person. Furthermore, festive meals like Christmas dining can cost over $1300 per person for a seven-course meal. 

Thomas Keller is a famous American cookbook author, chef, and restaurateur. He has won many awards from the James Beard Foundation. In 1996, he won Best California Chef, and in 1997, he won the James Beard Foundation's Outstanding Chef award.

His culinary skills have exceptionally high standards, making his restaurant chains way too expensive. However, visiting one of Thomas Keller's restaurants would be worthwhile if you can afford fine dining.

Experience the delectable chef-tasting menu that features oysters and pearls, sautéed fillet of Atlantic striped bass, sweet butter-poached Santa Barbara spiny lobster, Pekin duck, charcoal-grilled Japanese Wagyu, and more. Depending on the menu, you can expect to pay anywhere from $390 per person, excluding drinks and tax.

If you want to dine like Miley Cyrus and the Kardashians, then eating Japanese cuisine with Peruvian ingredients at Nobu is the place to go. Nobu Matsuhisa opened his first homonymous restaurant, Matsuhisa, in 1987 when he moved to Los Angeles. In 1988, Robert De Niro visited the restaurant and became a regular customer.

He suggested to Matsuhisa to open a restaurant in New York City; however, he declined the offer. In 1994, Robert De Niro suggested the idea again, and Matsuhisa agreed. Matsushisa, restaurateur Drew Nieporent, Robert De Niro, and investor Meir Teper agreed to a partnership. As of 2025, there are over 60 Nobu restaurants and more than 30 hotels worldwide, and Nobu’s signature dish is black cod with miso. The average check at Nobu is approximately $135 per person.

This Brazilian food chain, translated as “Ground Fire,” was founded by brothers Jair and Arri Coser in 1979 and specializes in Southern Brazilian fare. If you are feeling hungry and enjoy a decent variety of meat, then you should try Fogo de Chão. There are over 70 locations, and they serve à la carte, buffet, or a full churrasco, which includes servings of fire-roasted lamb, chicken, beef, pork, and other meats.

Lighter dining options, such as Gaucho lunch and seafood options, are also available. There’s something for everyone at Fogo. Finally, you’re looking at about $70 per person for all-you-can-eat meat, side dishes, and a salad bar. Next to the salad bar is the Market table, which is filled with Brazilian staples, dips, colorful specialty salads, and more. This does not include gratuities, drinks, or taxes.

With seven locations in London, Beverly Hills, New York — Tribeca, New York — 57th Street, Miami, Las Vegas, and Riyadh, you can enjoy upscale Chinese cuisine. Over the past few years, Mr Chow has served popular celebrities including Drew Barrymore, Simon Cowell, Steven Seagal, and more.

Mr Chow offers signature dishes like Beijing duck, steamed seabass, fresh lobster, and squid ink rice noodles. At this 5-Star Diamond Award-winning restaurant, you can expect to pay anywhere from $102 to $120 per person for a Semi Prix Fixe dinner. In addition, their menu also features specialty cocktails and an extensive wine list.

Co-founded in 1978 by Arnie Morton and Klaus Fritsch, Morton's The Steakhouse operates around 65 locations worldwide as of 2025. These two men worked together in Canada at the Playboy Club before joining up. One day, Fritsch made Morton a hamburger, and he was so impressed that they opened their first business in Chicago.

Their menu features prime steak and delicious seafood. They serve the best USDA prime-aged beef. However, your dining experience can bring you the best of both land and sea, featuring oysters, red king crab legs, and Chilean sea bass.

Experience fine dining lunch with lobster, prime pork chop, Chicken Christopher, or smoked gouda and bacon au gratin. Choose between a silver, gold, platinum, or diamond dinner menu. The price range per person is approximately $160, excluding drinks and taxes.

This international fine-dining steakhouse chain restaurant in America first began in 1926. Today, there are over 30 locations throughout the United States, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. The Palm specializes in traditional Italian dishes, steak, and lobster.

It also features caricatures of celebrities on its walls, which guests can admire. They have a wide range of wines, cocktails, and signature drinks to choose from. At The Palm, you’re looking at paying approximately $120 to $200 per person for your dining experience. 

Founded in 1977 by Alan Stillman, there are 10 Smith & Wollensky locations. These locations are in New York, Chicago, Miami Beach, Las Vegas, Columbus, Houston, Massachusetts, London, Taipei, Taichung, and their new branch in Burlington.

The restaurant's trademark colors are white and green, and many of the restaurants have a wooden exterior.

Smith & Wollensky is a well-known steakhouse chain serving USDA Prime dry-aged meat that is perfectly marbled and posh seafood dishes. Furthermore, there are also platters suitable for 2–6 people.

Approximate menu prices per person vary per location, excluding drinks.

• Lunch: $110
• Dinner: $200
• Dessert: $15

Founded in 1981, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse was operated by Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group. In September 2019, the restaurant was acquired by Landry's Inc. and, as of 2025, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse operates fewer than 20 locations across the United States. You can experience fine dining from Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, and more. 

Proper attire is required, so that means no jeans, hoodies, beanies, beachwear, gym clothing, or sleeveless shirts. Their menus feature delicious salads with steak, lobster, and octopus. Handhelds include hamburgers, lobster rolls, and Wagyu cheese steak. Entrées include salmon, chicken, and fillet. There is so much to choose from, and the menus look fantastic.

You can look at paying approximately the following minimum per person, excluding tax and drinks:

• Lunch: $74
• Main Meal: $300
• Dessert: $15

Finally, festive meals are typically priced from $195 per person. These 10 restaurant chains that are way too expensive can offer you an elegant fine dining experience if you can afford it. However, you can still create a fine dining experience at home with the array of recipes on our website. Take a look at our 20 potato side dishes, smothered pork chops, and roast beef with garlic.