Posted on 03/04/2024 4:00:03 AM PST by Phoenix8
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The blowback has been strong since Wendy's announced last week it will soon start testing dynamic pricing.
Wendy's is looking to test having the prices of its menu items fluctuate throughout the day based on demand, implementing a strategy that has already taken hold with ride-sharing companies and ticket sellers. The fast-food burger chain is now backing down on the idea.
Right now, no matter when you pull up to a Wendy's restaurant, the price is the same. But during a conference call earlier this month, Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner said that the Dublin, Ohio-based burger chain will start testing dynamic pricing, also known as surge pricing, as early as next year.
But Wendy's is clarifying, saying it only plans to offer discounts during off-peak hours and says it never planned to raise prices during peak times, like Uber does with surge pricing.
This could have something to do with negative feedback on social media, even from Burger King, which posted, "We don't believe in charging people more when they're hungry."
Customers weren't happy either.
Dynamic pricing could be inevitable for the food industry regardless of what Wendy's does.
The New York Post said more than 100 small restaurants around the country have already started surge pricing, using software that let's them raise prices during busy times on their digital menus.
If enough customers balk and go to McDonalds or Burger King, Wendy's might rethink the whole idea.
Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
Even here on FR did anyone notice that post about SNL “Roastng” Biden from yesterday? Did you catch the bald faced lie SNL sneaked in the dialog about Biden lowering inflation…lowering it from when? From the 15% high it was 2 years ago? Yet certainly not lowering compared to under Trump.
PS In a related story McDs CEO heard admitting their prices are now getting beyond poor American’s budget. My gosh things have moved quickly in 4 years!
They see it.
They lie.
“The New York Post said more than 100 small restaurants around the country have already started surge pricing, using software that let’s them raise prices during busy times on their digital menus.”
Reminds me of how schools now use two versions of their electronic curriculums, one for the kids, and one for the parents. Obviously the kids version is only used in the classroom, while the parent curriculum has the ‘juicy’ stuff scrubbed out.
“Wendy’s is looking to test having the prices of its menu items fluctuate throughout the day based on demand”
Wait ‘till a black lady is 2nd in line and the price jumps after the white person in front of her places their order......it’s gonna be epic.
now dats racis’!
The other thing is that by making their prices unpredictable, they would drive many people away for good as they get out of the habit of going there. It’s not like Wendy’s is serving filet mignon. Their product is mediocre at best, so intentionally making it more difficult and complicated to purchase it is just stupid.
Is it racist if it’s true?
That same consistency became one of the hallmarks of the industry that all the upstarts tried to achieve. Now this idiot is trying to undermine at least one key aspect of that in one fell swoop, trying to change prices between the time you order your burger and then time it gets served.
Wow. Good thing I avoid fast food.
That’s a test I won’t be a part of. Fast food is bad for me anyway. Sorry Wendy, I love the Frosty and your fries are good too but your business model is crap.
If baseline pricing is $15 for a combo meal what will surge pricing look like? $25?
Dry Cleaners should do the same.
So when white liberal ‘elite’ women who set the ‘less water for washing machines sgandards (becaue they NEVER use washing machines) can pay triple the price they pick their clothes up from the dry cleaners.
Remember - every time democrats decide to stick it to the working and middle classes - we can do the same back to them.
And yet there’s Federal laws about scalping at the gas pumps during/after natural disasters when demand goes way up...
Good point. IMHO, this technique of dynamic pricing by Wendy's and others is an attempt to financial survive the Dim media and political push for $15/hr minimum wages. For some reason that's been particularly aimed at fast food restaurants. Perhaps it's the Dims doing generational branding (telling young fast food workers that the Dims have their backs so they'll vote Dim for much of their lives).
I like the idea. Of course, everyone assumes that prices will be increased during peak hours. If viewed as getting a discount at slower times, when the employees are just standing around, I view it as a win. If one is flexible when you choose to eat...you save some money.
You are SO right.Post of the day!
If their Board is smart, they’ll dump this new ceo like a hot potato today or tomorrow.
Wait ‘till a black lady is 2nd in line and the price jumps after the white person in front of her places their order......it’s gonna be epic.
= = =
Epic. WWE on steroids, right up the street. Sell streaming feeds of the in-store cameras. $$$$$$$$$$$
Honestly restaurants have had surge pricing for a long time. They just usually hide it with “specials” (usually on meals they have too much of the supplies and they’re getting close to expiring). Senior discount windows. Happy hour. These are all surge pricing under a different name.
And Shrinkflation.
It’s been a year if two ago…🙄 (decades I mean)…but I swear the McDs hamburgers were all about 1/2 again bigger than today
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