For millions of hungry Britons, the humble supermarket meal deal is a lunchtime staple—quick, filling, and, until recently, reliably affordable. But as of Thursday, August 21, 2025, Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket, has raised the price of its iconic meal deal yet again, sparking frustration among loyal customers and reigniting the debate over the true value of these grab-and-go lunches.
According to The Independent, the standard Tesco meal deal now costs £4.25 for shoppers without a Clubcard, up from £4. Clubcard holders, who make up more than 80% of meal deal buyers by Tesco’s own count, saw their price rise from £3.60 to £3.85. The premium meal deal jumped even more sharply: £5.50 with a Clubcard (up from £5) and £6 without (up from £5.50). These increases—between 6% and 10%—actually outpace the general rate of food inflation, which, according to the Office for National Statistics, hit 4.9% in the year to July 2025, the highest in 18 months.
The news first broke when an insider posted a photo of the updated shelf labels online, and it didn’t take long for the backlash to begin. Social media lit up with complaints. One unimpressed shopper wrote on X, “Tesco meal deal going up again... genuinely outrageous. Games gone.” Another chimed in, “Tesco meal deal price is going up again what is this absolute nonsense.”
But what’s really behind these price hikes, and is Tesco still offering a good deal compared to its competitors?
In a statement to BBC News, a Tesco spokesperson defended the move: “Our meal deal remains great value and the ideal way to grab lunch on-the-go at just £3.85 for a main, snack and drink when bought with a Clubcard. With more than 20 million possible combinations, the Tesco meal deal has got something for every taste, from a classic Chicken Club Sandwich to Tesco Korean Style Chicken Dragon Rolls.”
It’s true that the Tesco meal deal offers an impressive variety—everything from sushi to iced coffee is on the menu. And for those who know how to play the system, the savings can be substantial. The Independent crunched the numbers: by choosing the priciest eligible items (say, a gluten-free BLT sandwich, Magnum utopia double cherry single, and Emmi caffe latte Mr Big Skinny), you’d pay £8.65 buying them individually. But with a Clubcard, the whole bundle comes to £3.85, a saving of £4.80. Without a Clubcard, the saving drops to £4.40.
Still, some shoppers feel the meal deal is losing its luster. This is the third price increase in as many years—after a decade of stability, the price rose in 2022, then again in 2024, and now this latest hike. It’s a sign of the times: food price inflation has been stubbornly high, with staples like coffee, tea, milk, eggs, chocolate, and soft drinks all seeing marked increases. On the very day Tesco announced its new meal deal prices, the supermarket also signed a letter (alongside more than 60 other retail bosses, as reported by The Guardian) warning the Chancellor that food inflation could hit 6% later this year. The letter stated it was “becoming more and more challenging” for firms to “absorb the cost pressures we face.”
So how does Tesco stack up against its rivals in the ever-competitive meal deal market? The Independent offered a comprehensive comparison. Co-op, for instance, boasts the cheapest standard meal deal at £3.50 (for members; it’s £4 for non-members). Sainsbury’s comes in at £3.95, while Morrisons and Boots hover around £3.60 and £3.75 respectively, provided you’re enrolled in their loyalty schemes. Waitrose, meanwhile, has the most expensive standard deal at £5, but it delivers the best value in terms of savings—up to £5.35 if you select the priciest eligible items.
Of course, value isn’t just about price. For many, the meal deal is as much about convenience and choice as it is about cost. Tesco’s 20 million possible combinations mean that whether you’re after a Chicken Club Sandwich (the most popular main, according to Tesco’s January 2025 figures), an Egg Protein Pot (the favorite snack), or a classic Coca-Cola 500ml (the top drink), there’s something for everyone. And with fierce competition among supermarkets, the pressure to innovate and offer new options is stronger than ever.
But there’s no denying that price is on shoppers’ minds. “It’s not just the price of lunch that’s on the up,” The Independent noted. “If you’re still feeling a pinch at the supermarket checkout, it’s not in your head.” The latest inflation figures back this up—and with the cost of food and non-alcoholic drinks rising faster than almost any other category, even small increases can have a big impact on household budgets.
For those looking to maximize their savings, loyalty cards are increasingly a must-have. Tesco’s Clubcard not only unlocks the lower meal deal price but also offers discounts on selected items and lets customers collect points on their shopping. Other supermarkets have followed suit, rolling out their own schemes in a bid to keep customers coming back. As The Guardian put it, “Most major supermarkets have their own version of a loyalty card, in a bid to retain customers at a time of fierce competition in the sector.”
Yet, for all the talk of value, some shoppers are left wondering whether the meal deal is still the bargain it once was. After all, with each price increase, the savings gap narrows—especially for those who don’t have (or forget) their loyalty cards. As one columnist wryly observed, “Real meal deal connoisseurs know that the best way to get your money’s worth is to buy the most expensive items as part of the deal.” But for many, the days of a cheap, fuss-free lunch may be numbered.
Still, the meal deal endures. Boots first introduced the concept in 1985, and supermarkets have been playing catch-up ever since. Today, it’s a lunchtime institution—one that’s constantly evolving in response to changing tastes, rising costs, and the ever-present quest for value. Whether the latest price hike will dent Tesco’s dominance remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: in the world of British lunch, the meal deal is here to stay—even if it now costs a little more.
