Fast-food diners are using loyalty apps to get deals on cheap — or free — food as prices soar

• More diners are using restaurant loyalty apps to get cheap or free food.
• One customer told BI his family compares fast-food apps and orders "whatever's the cheapest."
• McDonald's said loyalty-platforms sales more than tripled in three years. At Starbucks, its app accounts for 30% of transactions.

Diners are turning to fast-food loyalty apps for cheaper meals as years of price hikes catch up with customers.