When McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski shared a video of himself barely nibbling the new Big Arch burger, it quickly became a sensation across the internet. This viral moment led to a cascade of similar antics from other fast-food industry leaders.

However, the humor surrounding the Big Arch burger is tempered by its price, which significantly varies across the United States, making the experience less amusing depending on your location.

For instance, in Juneau, Alaska, patrons shell out $11.49 for this half-pound, double-patty delight. This indulgence is topped with white cheddar cheese, crispy onions, nestled in a sesame and poppy seed bun, and finished with the much-anticipated Big Arch sauce.

Yet, the steepest price tag is found in Lewiston, Maine, where a single Big Arch burger commands a hefty $12.99.

According to an analysis by NeoMan Studios, as featured in Time Out, the price disparities of this viral burger are notable across different regions. This means that some customers could be paying over 50% more for the same burger, depending on where they are.

The analysis reveals a striking price gap of up to 74%, equating to a $5.53 difference from the least to the most expensive locations.

The wide price gaps are largely driven by regional cost differences – such as transportation, labor, and local pricing strategies – with Alaska ranking as the most expensive, averaging $10.32 per burger.

In second place is Washington, sitting at a lofty $10.19, while Maine follows close behind at $10.03 and Hawaii sits at $10. 

The Big Arch burger at McDonald’s is priced differently across states, with customers paying up to a 74 percent difference – a gap of as much as $5.53 

After McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski posted a video barely biting into the new Big Arch burger, it quickly went viral – sparking a wave of copycat moments from other fast food executives 

Rounding out the top five is Arizona, which is a few cents lower at $9.96. 

Across state lines, cities such as Milwaukee, Lexington and Fort Worth can get their Big Arch for a steal, going for less than $7.70.

The cheapest state average can be found in Oklahoma, where the burger costs customers around $8.05.

Other states near the bottom of the list include Idaho, West Virginia, Indiana, Texas and Arkansas.

‘We’d seen a lot of speculation about the price of the burger online, with fast food fans using the burger price in Canada, France, and the UK (where the burger was tested previously) as a reference point,’ NeoMam research and outreach specialist Taylor Tomita told Food & Wine.

The Big Arch is McDonald’s biggest burger ever, clocking in at 1020 calories and 53g of protein in the US. A Big Arch Meal, with a medium Coke and medium fries, is 1610 calories.

The burger was tested in Canada, the UK, Portugal, Germany and France – where bosses say it proved a hit – before finally launching in the US more than two years later in 2026.

Then came the viral video – which propelled the burger to a level of virality McDonald’s hadn’t seen since it launched the repulsive-looking purple ‘Grimace Shake’ – at Kempczinski’s expense.

The highest price at a single location can be found in Lewiston, Maine, where one Big Arch burger will set you back $12.99 

Not all customers were thrilled with the burger’s quality, with one Reddit user saying it was  ‘greasy’

Kempczinski shared the video last month while introducing the oversized sandwich, prompting viewers to tease the CEO for taking a tiny bite of the burger before appearing to grimace, with one claiming that the performance showed he ‘definitely doesn’t eat at McDonald’s’.

Since then, a wave of CEOs from other fast food companies, such as Burger King, joined in on the mockery.

The burger’s rollout hasn’t been entirely received well by customers, with some branding it as greasy, overpriced and underwhelming.

One Reddit user who spent $14 on the burger at a San Diego location delivered a blunt assessment: ‘Greasy.’

Another wrote: ‘There’s just nothing special about it, which is depressing because they clearly tried to make it special and failed.’