Value for the dollar at these places has dropped a lot faster than inflation has driven other prices up.
I think it's the difference between a 3% and a 4% unemployment rate. A fast food place needs at least one guy who can speak English and whatever else the rest of the crew is speaking. And he's gotta' know how to operate the computer ordering system. These guys have all left for higher paying jobs and now folks (the 3-percenters) are getting hired that before were the rejects. But you need a lot more of them to get the job done because the ramrod is missing. Fast food price is labor-dominated. If you double the labor cost...
I agree for the same price as FF now you can usually find a diner/restaurant that matches the price, although the hours are probably more limited. Vote with your feet Folks...find these places and give them your business.
I predict the trends are going to force FF to have more limited hours and to limit the menu choices, basically anything that simplifies staffing and needed staff competence.
Personally I still find Subway a pretty good deal. They can get by with just one employee, frequently the manager or a relative so their efficiency hasn't gone down the drain. The price has increased ~40%, but that's true of most labor-intensive "bargain goods".