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McDonald’s just had its worst quarter since Covid. It said customers are getting nervous
Channel 3000 News/CNN ^ | May 1, 2025 | CNN Staff

Posted on 05/01/2025 8:26:41 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin

McDonald’s sales dropped in the beginning of the year, marking the second consecutive quarter of declines as customers pull back their spending amid economic uncertainty.

In the United States, its largest market, same-store sales dropped 3.6% — the chain’s worst drop since 2020 during the height of the Covid pandemic when people were told to stay home.

Net income for the first quarter was $1.87 billion, a decline from $1.93 billion compared to the same period a year ago. However, McDonald’s notes that since last year had a Leap Day, or an extra day to make money, that slightly hurt its sales in 2025.

McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said in a release that consumers are “grappling with uncertainty,” but that he remains optimistic in the company’s “ability to navigate even the toughest of market conditions and gain market share.”

On a call with analysts, Kempczinski said “geopolitical tensions added to the economic uncertainty and dampened consumer sentiment more than we expected.” Visits to restaurants in its largest markets, including the US, fell more than predicted.

Although he expects McDonald’s to “outperform” its competitors, the chain isn’t “immune to the volatility in the industry or the pressures that our consumers are facing.”

McDonald’s is also seeing worsening pullback in spending from low-income consumers, which is down nearly double digits versus a year ago. And, unlike a few months ago, spending from middle-income consumers also “fell nearly as much, a clear indication that the economic pressure on traffic has broadened.”

The chain’s blunt assessment of the economic environment mirrors that of other companies, with Chipotle, Yum! Brands, Domino’s Pizza and Starbucks all recently reporting meager earnings results as consumer sentiment sinks.

(Excerpt) Read more at channel3000.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Conspiracy; Food; Society
KEYWORDS: business; food; gopisdone; losing; mcdonalds; pollscrashing
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To: cgbg

“They obviously do not want me as a customer—fine with me.”

And there it is right there. They have some idea we do not have the right to just say no and not buy it. Even society frowns on those who do not go with the flow and capitulate to the trend, you are crazy if you don’t get the app to save five bucks. I have actually had clerks tell me “But you have to get and use the app or I can’t sell it to you”.

Fine... Goodbye... And I won’t be back again. And I haven’t and won’t.

If we don’t start standing our ground against this social engineering it will become mandatory across the board, it will enslave us. And that is when we are going to be absolutely sorry we did not when we should have. By then it will be too late to go back.


101 posted on 05/01/2025 9:42:11 AM PDT by Openurmind
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To: blackdog

Great advice. Also, ALWAYS use the bathroom at home before you get in the car, LOL! Dear Old Mom taught me that. ;)

I will admit that in my 20’s I was obsessed with their ‘Filet-Of-Who-Knows-What’ Fish sandwich. And Subway Subs.

But, I was also a runner back then and it didn’t matter to my waistline. ;)


102 posted on 05/01/2025 9:42:21 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
McDonald’s sales dropped in the beginning of the year,
because they raised their prices primarily due to increased labor costs. Ice cream cones used to be $0.99 and 2025 is priced (https://www.mcds-menu.com/#Sweets-Treats) at $1.00 but franchisees set the prices much higher for the same product made on the same machines to $2.58. This is also true for other menu items.

"While McDonald's has traditionally relied on a value-driven pricing strategy, recent increases in operating costs, including wages, have pushed prices up, according to a report from the Federal Trade Commission and the company's CEO Chris Kempczinski acknowledged that the company needs to refocus on affordability."
103 posted on 05/01/2025 9:43:55 AM PDT by af_vet_1981 ( The bus came by and I got on, That's when it all began.)
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To: 1Old Pro
"......said a crew member from the the whaler Essex..."

Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!

104 posted on 05/01/2025 9:45:52 AM PDT by rlmorel ("A people that elect corrupt politicians are not victims...but accomplices." George Orwell)
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To: Openurmind

I am by nature a contrarian.

When somebody tells me:

“Choose between A and B” my default response is:

Nope.


105 posted on 05/01/2025 9:50:15 AM PDT by cgbg (It was not us. It was them--all along.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

So you’re at home and don’t feel like making dinner. You’re going to jump in you car to get take-out food.

Choice A: Just drive to a fast food joint, go through the drive through, spend $13 for unhealthy and garbage food.

Choice B: online order from a restaurant before leaving, something tasty and healthy, then get in your car and drive there, with the ‘drawback’ of having to go inside and pick it up (although many have ‘pick up’ parking spots you can wait in), with often no waiting as it was made while were driving....still for $13.

I find fast food to be a dinosaur industry. It used to be fast to order, pay, drive off, ...for a cheap and unhealthy meal. It is no longer faster, cheaper, better tasting, and people are becoming more health conscious. It used to be an alternative to the only option, dining in.

There’s even in-vehicle infotainment apps that let you order (via AI voice recognition) while driving. I can get Thai, Greek, Italian, Indian, etc. - why would I choose fast food? The internet has made all food orders fast, pick up orders are a significant part of their sales.


106 posted on 05/01/2025 9:50:20 AM PDT by fuzzylogic (welfare state = sharing of poor moral choices among everybody)
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To: crz

Stopped at the new place by the hospital a while ago. Cant think of the name now.

“In and Out”? Way over cooked paper thin “jerky” patties you almost can’t chew. Inedible... And even a triple burger is less meat than a McDonald’s quarter pounder.

Got to admit, It is a very good location though...


107 posted on 05/01/2025 9:51:06 AM PDT by Openurmind
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To: dfwgator; BuckeyeGOP
"...Doesn’t matter, eventually all fast food will be large kiosks with no human workers..."

Hahahahahaha...when I read that post, I thought of this:

JOE: Oh, man. I'm still groggy. A thousand years of sleep. Boy, I could really go for a Starbucks.

DIZZ: Yeah, well, I don't think we have time for a hand job.

108 posted on 05/01/2025 9:52:36 AM PDT by rlmorel ("A people that elect corrupt politicians are not victims...but accomplices." George Orwell)
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To: Openurmind

Actually went there for the fries.

But the burgers? Like you said...


109 posted on 05/01/2025 9:56:18 AM PDT by crz
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To: Openurmind

Like i said
Usually go to Carls Jr. Depending on the staff they got a pretty good super single. Think thats the name of it..


110 posted on 05/01/2025 9:58:10 AM PDT by crz
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
The McDonald's Filt-o-Fish sandwich was by far, the gold standard in fast food taste and simplicity. I understand they shrunk it and trippled the price.

Also...Why do people eat meals inside their cars? That's wrong on so many levels. If I were the litigious type, I would sue the car makers for putting cup holders in cars. At least demand a commission from fast food companies for their installation in your car.

Back in the 70's my dad removed the fuse to the car radio because as new drivers we were too distracted. He took out the cigarette lighters and ash trays. He made inserts and fastened them to block the cup holders (Cougar XR7). He passed away before cell phones became so prevalent, but I'm sure he would have installed signal jamming.

111 posted on 05/01/2025 10:04:16 AM PDT by blackdog ((Z28.310) Be careful what you say. Your refrigerator may be listening & reporting you.)
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To: cgbg

“I am by nature a contrarian.

When somebody tells me:

“Choose between A and B” my default response is:

Nope.”

Exact same here. They work for me, I don’t work for them. I have a right to take my money elsewhere where they actually respect and appreciate their customers. I have left full carts and walked out many many times. I refuse to be lead around on a Corporate leash. This whole corporate trend to enslave customers started with Microsoft years ago and then everyone else adopted their tactics. They were the founders of our new Corporate enslavement culture. And it happened because we rolled over and allowed it to happen instead of just saying no.


112 posted on 05/01/2025 10:04:49 AM PDT by Openurmind
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To: mykroar

I like the occasional double quarter pounder with cheese and extra onions . The ice-cream is pretty good IF you can get it.


113 posted on 05/01/2025 10:06:11 AM PDT by Don W (When blacks riot, neighborhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn)
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To: crz

I’m usually on the other end of town most so I go to BK. Unless they have gone up in the last week they are actually lowering their prices and giving better deals than the rest right now.


114 posted on 05/01/2025 10:09:17 AM PDT by Openurmind
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

High prices and very small portions. I got a breakfast sandwich the other day and it was $6 just for the sandwich. That’s ridiculous.

-SB


115 posted on 05/01/2025 10:12:41 AM PDT by Snowybear (Do or do not, there is no try.)
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To: hinckley buzzard

True, but there are enough left to maintain a steady pool of YouTube rage videos.

“Ma’am, we don’t serve breakfast at 4 P.M.”

“I want a Egg McMuffin NOW!”

(Starts tearing up the store...)


116 posted on 05/01/2025 10:14:00 AM PDT by 17th Miss Regt (Fascist, deplorable, and proud of it!)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

What is on the menu that doesn’t spike blood sugar? If you’re watching what goes in your mouth, hips, belly, McD’s doesn’t offer much.

The breakfast sausage is good, without the bread.


117 posted on 05/01/2025 10:20:06 AM PDT by lurk (u)
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To: crz
McDonalds has gone to hell.

Ray Kroc had a good formula. It may not have been designed for an era with such an array of competition, but:

1. CLEANLINESS
2. Consistency
3. Comfortable, relaxing environments with no distractions (e.g. no TV screens)
4. Low or at least competitive prices
5. Fast service
6. Friendly service
7. Acceptable food quality standards
8. Limited menu
9. Reliable systems (Kroc would have replaced to Blizzard machines)

Today's McDonald's only checks a couple of those boxes. "In and Out" is more a Kroc type of operation than McDonald's, andthey won't go public.
118 posted on 05/01/2025 10:23:58 AM PDT by Dr. Sivana ("Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." (John 2:5))
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

who wants to pay $10+ for a piece of crap


119 posted on 05/01/2025 10:28:26 AM PDT by TexasFreeper2009
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To: Openurmind

Went to Mr Ds a while back.

I was actually pissed when we left.

I dont know WTH happened there but its not good.

LHC baby! Fish and Chips. 19 bucks a plate and more than a person can eat.


120 posted on 05/01/2025 10:31:23 AM PDT by crz
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