25 Best Takeout Chains for Family Meals
We’re all for cooking healthy meals, but can we be honest? No one except that ultra-crunchy mom who does daily yoga and feeds her kids homemade quinoa bites instead of Goldfish actually has the time or energy to cook all the time. That’s where takeout comes in handy.
Whether it’s for family movie night, a last-minute Father's Day or Thanksgiving spread, or just the end of a long Tuesday, your family dinner can be ready in minutes at one of these takeout chains across the U.S. — all of which offer family meal deals that are easy on the wallet.
25. Outback Steakhouse
Outback is a good place to go when you're really, really hungry. It's technically a steakhouse, but the popular chain has tons of feel-good classics, like homestyle mashed potatoes, steakhouse mac & cheese and mile-high burgers.
Their family meal options vary by location, but their party platters are universal. Get a chicken tender platter for just $29.99, three racks of ribs for $45.99 or spicy wings for $34.99. There are also salads big enough to share, plus sides of loaded mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. Food's up.
*Note: Our ranking came from a combination of Restaurant Business Online's Top 500 report, the quality of the restaurants' family meal offerings and our editorial staff's personal opinion.
24. BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse
BJ's family meals are what you order to impress your in-laws. They've got steak. They've got ribs. They've got salmon. They've got chicken. Did we mention tri-tip? And pizza family meals? Oy vey!
Each traditional bundle includes two family-sized sides and a family-sized salad while the pizza dinners include salad and a side of garlic knots. Every meal is made to feed a family of four to six, and they all look incredible.
23. Panda Express
Panda Express isn't known for their family meal deals, but they do occasionally offer exceptional bundles. They recently offered Family Meals, including two large sides and three large entrees for $29, but only if you ordered through the Panda Express app for delivery. No entrees or sides are off limits!
Always check the app for current deals, but if there aren't any running, Panda's generous portions make this an affordable place for family takeout any day of the week.
22. TGI Friday's
TGI Fridays Family Meal Bundles are on the high end of the price scale, but the quality is worth the splurge. Each meal feeds a family of four to six, and there are plenty of options.
Try whiskey-glazed ribs, a pasta bundle, a fried chicken and shrimp bundle ... you name it! Their family meal menu is one of the most diverse we've seen, so odds are good that you'll find something to make every member of the family happy. Each bundle comes with sides, but if you'd like to add on some more, seasoned fries or mashed potatoes are only $5. There are also party platters to feed larger groups.
21. Wienerschnitzel
Wienerschnitzel is America's go-to takeout place for hot dogs and corn dogs. If you ever forget that hot dogs are a thing, you'll remember as soon as you drive by because that smell is to die for.
As far as family meal deals go, Wienerschnitzel has offerings for families big and small. There are small combos for two and crowd-pleasers that include four of everything: four corn dogs, four hot dogs and four orders of chili cheese fries. Our mouths are watering already.
20. Papa John's Pizza
Isn't pizza a family meal by default? Papa John's is among America's favorite fast-food pizza joints. Their large pizzas are perfect to share with the fam, and individual locations have family meal deals to share.
For a fun family lunch at the park, pick up some Papadias. They're basically Papa John's version of quesadillas, so they're easy to take to a picnic. Their classic pizza menu is perfect for movie night, and you can pair your extra-large with breadsticks, garlic knots or jalapeño poppers if you're brave. Don't forget the dipping sauce and wings!
19. Del Taco
If ultra-cheap Mexican food is what you're looking for, look no further. Del Taco is nothing fancy, but their crispy tacos are addictive and insanely inexpensive.
Del Taco doesn't have a designated family meal, but it does have fiesta packs. Same thing, really. Fiesta packs include six tacos and six bean and cheese burritos. The price varies by location, but they're pretty cheap everywhere. Grab two if you're extra hungry, or throw in some queso-loaded fries and some churros for dessert.
18. Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box is one of the more fast-foodish options on this list. If you're in the mood for tacos, burgers, fries and other American classics, Jack's is where it's at. The food is good, and it's cheap.
That said, meal deals vary by location. Where it's available, meal bundles typically feed a family of four and range from $20 to $26. If a bundle isn't available near you, it's cheap enough that you can design your own family meal from the menu in a flash.
17. Arby's
Arby's is known for their stacked roast beef sandwiches. In fact, it's where their name originated. Arby's sounds like the acronym "RB," short for roast beef. All of their sandwiches go the extra mile in the meat department, and their sides are delicious, too!
Arby's isn't the most transparent when it comes to their family meal deals. They periodically offer drive-thru deals, but their exact offerings vary by location, and you can't see what they are unless you sign up for their email list. Who's doing that? Regardless, most of their sandwiches are affordable, and the portions are huge. Order a couple of sandwiches and mix and match sides, like loaded fries and mozzarella sticks, and make a family meal of your own.
16. IHOP
Breakfast often gets overlooked as a great opportunity for affordable and delicious takeout. IHOP is certainly touted as one of the best places to enjoy the most important meal of the day, so much so that they make it available morning, noon and night. Speaking of group meals though, IHOP's classic American-style breakfasts fit for a family are where it’s at.
IHOP offers several family meals, their most popular being the Breakfast Family Feast with either pancakes or waffles. This combo feeds four and consists of scrambled eggs, hash browns, hickory-smoked bacon strips, pork sausage links and eight pancakes or waffles. You can get all of this goodness for $29.99.
15. Ono Hawaiian BBQ
Who doesn’t love the flavor of oceanside and island-bound barbeque? Hawaiian Barbeque is a great opportunity to try something new without emptying your wallet. While the chain is regionally limited, those who live nearby a location can enjoy great Hawaiian flavors, especially through their family group meals.
Hawaiian BBQ’s specialty is everything from teriyaki chicken and spam musubi to barbecue beef and short ribs, so their Ono Family Meal is sure to please just about anyone in the family. The family meal feeds about four people and includes three proteins of your choice (BBQ chicken, chicken katsu, BBQ beef, white fish, kalua pork or fire chicken) as well as rice, macaroni salad and steamed vegetables. Certain upgrades for meat can be added like crispy shrimp or short ribs, but overall the meal is priced at $46.99.
14. Taco Bell
Ah, yet another Mexican takeout favorite, Taco Bell is probably the most well-known and most prominent Mexican fast-food spot on this list. Of course, Taco Bell is a bit more Tex-Mex than other places we've mentioned, but that’s what gives it a unique flare. While it might not be the most "authentic," Taco Bell shines when it comes to novel creations based on the classics that are still affordable and delicious.
Taco Bell has a variety of group deals known as "Party Packs." Their taco and burrito cravings pack includes four crunchy tacos and four beefy five-layer burritos for $10. The nachos party pack is a fully customizable spread, which has seasoned beef, guacamole, beans, nacho cheese, jalapeno peppers, sour cream and tomatoes. Depending on your upgrades, the starting price for the nachos platter is $9.99. Last, but certainly not least is the taco party pack for $13.99, which includes 12 crunchy tacos with the option to customize each half of the pack (six tacos each).
13. El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco, where fresh herbs and tangy seasoning meets high-quality chicken. This fast-food restaurant with a healthy twist isn’t available to everyone on a national basis, but it’s worth stopping for when you spot one. A perfect mix of authentic Mexican flavors with an affordable price tag, their variety of special deals definitely helps its appeal.
Their Complete Family Combo for $31.48 consists of eight pieces of leg and thigh meat, six soft tacos, one house salad and four churros. If you’re in the mood for just chicken, though, their options for chicken deals range from an eight to 16 pieces with three sides, tortillas for some creative taco shenanigans and plenty of salsa for $34.29.
12. Qdoba Mexican Eats
Qdoba’s are also a little harder to find than some of the other restaurants we’ve included, but if there’s one in your area, it’s worth trying out.
Qdoba’s Family Meal Deal is essentially taco night minus the cooking. It comes with black beans, cilantro-lime rice, grilled chicken or steak, pico de gallo, salsa verde, shredded cheese, tortillas and tortilla chips. Last but not least, it comes with Qdoba's signature three-cheese queso. It’s a little pricier if you choose the steak, but it’s still under $40 to feed the whole fam. Check out the full menu before you order.
11. Red Lobster
Red Lobster seems like more of a dine-in place, but it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of family takeout meals on the menu that you can order for pickup or delivery. Create your own family feast that includes soup, three seafood favorites, two family-style sides and 12 biscuits. The standard family feast serves up to six. Upgrade to the Ultimate Feast for lobster tails, snow crab legs, garlic shrimp scampi and cornflake crusted shrimp.
Red Lobster doesn’t skimp when it comes to dessert either. There’s vanilla bean cheesecake, key lime pie and triple chocolate brownies to add a sweet finish to your family takeout meal.
10. Little Caesars
Is it the best pizza in the world? No. It’s almost more like bread than pizza, but as far as family meals go, it doesn’t get much more budget-friendly than this. The thin crust pizza is only $6.49, and you can order it for contactless delivery for extra safety.
The $10.99 meal deal includes a large thin crust pizza, breadsticks, marinara sauce and a 2-liter Pepsi. If that’s not enough for your entire fam, just add on another pizza.
9. Popeyes
Popeyes has some pretty epic deals when it comes to chicken. The 16 Tenders Family meal includes two large sides and five biscuits. There’s also a 12 Piece Family Meal option and a 2 Can Dine option for smaller families, plus a family sandwich bundle and a larger family feast.
The varied menu also includes impressively addictive popcorn shrimp. Meals at Popeyes are pricier than, say, a McDonald’s, but they’re worth it.
8. Olive Garden
Family takeout meals don’t have to be fast food. Olive Garden offers lasagna, breadsticks and a house salad — enough to serve a family of eight! If you have a smaller family, you won’t regret having leftovers. Trust us.
Olive Garden has plenty of other incredibly tasty pasta dishes on its menu, too, so consider adding another entree to your order for some variety.
7. KFC
Kentucky Fried Chicken comes in buckets, and what more could you want for a fast, family takeout meal? Their standard Bucket Meal comes with up to 16 pieces of chicken, a large side and biscuits, but there’s also a massive 50-piece chicken pack big enough to feed an entire soccer team.
KFC also has amazing mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and — wait for it — the just-added fries to the menu.
6. Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is basically the OG family meal pizza joint. All of the restaurant's pizzas are a good value for how many slices you get, but with their family meal deals, you can get some extras as part of the package.
Their dinner box includes a medium one-topping pizza, breadsticks and 10 cinnamon sticks for dessert. Check out their full menu for more options.
5. Panera Bread
Panera is the best family takeout restaurant for sandwich-lovers by far. A bakery at heart, Panera’s sandwiches are delish with a capital D. Options include the Chipotle Chicken Avocado Panini Melt and the Bacon Turkey Bravo Sandwich.
Panera's family pack lets diners choose two adult sandwiches, two kid sandwiches, a salad and a family-sized order of mac and cheese. Speaking of the mac and cheese, it’s mouthwateringly amazing. There’s some flatbread pizza meal as well if you’re more in the mood for pizza. Don’t forget to pick up some fresh bread or a pastry on your way out!
4. Wendy’s
In 2020, Wendy’s was late to the family meal deal game, but it was worth the wait. They now offer a family bundle with four burgers and four orders of fries for only $10. That bundle includes two Double Stack Sandwiches and two Crispy Chicken Sandwiches, but you can upgrade to Spicy Chicken Sandwiches and two Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers for $5 more.
Add on a family-sized order of nuggets for another $10. If you’re extra hungry, order it all!
3. Burger King
We know that Wendy's fans will debate us for putting Burger King higher on this list, but Burger King’s $12.99 Family Bundle is where it’s at. For that price, you can take home three cheeseburgers, three Whoppers and three small fries. We’d call that a steal.
There’s also an Ultimate Bundle that includes a combination of burgers, nuggets, fries, drinks and cookies for just $25. From Burger King’s online menu, you can also order delivery or pickup online. Movie night, anyone?
2. Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A is one of many chains that released new family meal options in 2020. Diners can essentially build their own family meal, choosing from 30 chicken nuggets, four chicken sandwiches, four sides of mac and cheese and four medium waffle fries. Just add on more sides as needed. Throw in a gallon of freshly brewed iced tea and some chocolate chunk cookies for dessert.
See the menu for more options, including tasty sandwiches and salads. Whatever you do, don’t forget the dipping sauce!
1. McDonald’s
McDonald’s is a perpetual family meal classic. Are the nuggets made of real chicken? We’re not entirely sure, but they’re addictive, as are their sinfully salty fries.
Pick up an order of 50 McNuggets, a large order of fries and plenty of dipping sauces. Add some shakes or sides from the menu, and family dinner is a done deal.