A LOT of restauraunts basically allow "no substitutions" - so unless yoou order it "their way" you pay ala carte - and yes, it costs more.   But that way a number 3 is a number 3; not possibly a number three minus egg; or a number three minus toast; or a number three no hash browns. This is especially true if their inventory is tied into their register.

And 4 for a buck and 25 cents each *ARE* different prices under some retail circumstances.

So what might appear to be stupidity could be company policy and no fault of the person.