advertising campaign called "The Belluminati" to advertise its Dollar Cravings menu. Wendy's Wendy's is generally credited with being the first fast food chain to offer a value menu in October 1989, with every item priced at $0.99 (). However, the general price for value menu items is now around $1.55. References External links Fast Food Steps Up Value Menus. Bruce Horovitz, January 11, 2006. USA Today, Money. Restaurant menus Fast food