Few things made me feel more depressed that seeing cars backed up for what must have been an hour long queue trying to get McDonald’s at the drive through, since that’s the only bit that was open.
I don’t really want to wait an hour for good food, let alone some hyper processed slop.
If I’m not mistaken, isn’t this the case because the business model has shifted? I’m not sure about the broadwr market, but I believe McDonalds makes more renting space to franchisees than anything else. Corporate is still raking it in from the franchise holders, while those franchise holders are the ones suffering from reduced sales.
See also McDonalds requiring franchisees to use a specific vendor to repair ice cream machines (I think they’ve been sued and forced to stop doing this since)
So many reasons to not eat out and especially where that sandwich is likely from. Better to make a good meal with chicken, rice, and veggies for pennies compared.
I do though… Doesn’t mean I have to be happy about the fact that portion sizes are shrinking, the cost per sandwich is growing, and the contents of my paychecks remain… let’s call it “aggressively stagnant”. Still, I’d rather spend 5 minutes and $10 on food that’s ready right now as opposed to several hours buying, prepping, cooking, cleaning, etc for myself in most situations.
Edit: I just realized you’re not the guy I first replied to, buuut I think I’ll keep my comment as-is
Lol I got lunch at Five Guys for myself and my mother the day before yesterday. Two burgers, one order of fries, and two fountain drinks, for $44. For bonus points, I couldn’t figure out how to use the fucking drink dispenser – I apparently aged 40 years in two minutes. For even more bonus points, the bottom of the bag ripped open because of all the grease from the fries.
I too love Five Guys, but yeah they’ve gotten really expensive over the last several years, even before (or like, faster than) the current market trend of everything else getting more expensive. Plus 99% of the time I’m only buying for me so that helps(?)
You guys think the suppliers don’t hold both you and the restaurants by the balls? They raise your prices just as much as they do the restaurants. You still gotta eat. Voting with your wallet isn’t political action and this problem requires a political solution.
Unfortunately, bookmeat has a point… There is a monopoly brewing on food supply chains and it is only getting worse as the largest restaurant supply company is trying to buy the number 3 (I think) company. Basically, even local hole-in-the-wall type places are being squeezed by one of the 3 options to have food supplied. We need anti-trust and consumer protection laws to start being enforced in this country ASAP.
Stop going.
Fast food sales have plummeted since covid.
We have stopped going.
Few things made me feel more depressed that seeing cars backed up for what must have been an hour long queue trying to get McDonald’s at the drive through, since that’s the only bit that was open.
I don’t really want to wait an hour for good food, let alone some hyper processed slop.
Surely another price increase will make up for our terrible products not selling!
You haven’t stopped enough though. Plummeting is not the same as them crashing and burning.
Accurate. They had less customers.
Yet they also had more profits. By 2024 the profits were way up compared to 2018.
2024 was the year people had enough and now there is a decline.
Not arguing with your point at all, just adding some context because I find it interesting.
If I’m not mistaken, isn’t this the case because the business model has shifted? I’m not sure about the broadwr market, but I believe McDonalds makes more renting space to franchisees than anything else. Corporate is still raking it in from the franchise holders, while those franchise holders are the ones suffering from reduced sales.
See also McDonalds requiring franchisees to use a specific vendor to repair ice cream machines (I think they’ve been sued and forced to stop doing this since)
I have, and recommend anyone to do the same.
Wendy’s and Arby’s know what stop going means. Here’s hoping McDonalds enjoys it just as much next year.
So many reasons to not eat out and especially where that sandwich is likely from. Better to make a good meal with chicken, rice, and veggies for pennies compared.
Or go to a local shop and get a decent sandwich.
Okay but what if you don’t have the time/energy to do that? Still need to eat every day
You do have both though, you just prioritise not to.
Try to eat local then if possible. While they’re not immune to this, if I had to eat out I’d rather it go to my local sandwich shop instead of Subway.
Valid
Then acknowledge you’re making a conscious choice to accept the sandwich someone else made
I do though… Doesn’t mean I have to be happy about the fact that portion sizes are shrinking, the cost per sandwich is growing, and the contents of my paychecks remain… let’s call it “aggressively stagnant”. Still, I’d rather spend 5 minutes and $10 on food that’s ready right now as opposed to several hours buying, prepping, cooking, cleaning, etc for myself in most situations.
Edit: I just realized you’re not the guy I first replied to, buuut I think I’ll keep my comment as-is
Lol I got lunch at Five Guys for myself and my mother the day before yesterday. Two burgers, one order of fries, and two fountain drinks, for $44. For bonus points, I couldn’t figure out how to use the fucking drink dispenser – I apparently aged 40 years in two minutes. For even more bonus points, the bottom of the bag ripped open because of all the grease from the fries.
I too love Five Guys, but yeah they’ve gotten really expensive over the last several years, even before (or like, faster than) the current market trend of everything else getting more expensive. Plus 99% of the time I’m only buying for me so that helps(?)
You guys think the suppliers don’t hold both you and the restaurants by the balls? They raise your prices just as much as they do the restaurants. You still gotta eat. Voting with your wallet isn’t political action and this problem requires a political solution.
Unfortunately, bookmeat has a point… There is a monopoly brewing on food supply chains and it is only getting worse as the largest restaurant supply company is trying to buy the number 3 (I think) company. Basically, even local hole-in-the-wall type places are being squeezed by one of the 3 options to have food supplied. We need anti-trust and consumer protection laws to start being enforced in this country ASAP.