Posted on 05/30/2024 9:02:56 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The prices are just too damn high.
Earlier this month, McDonald’s made a reassuring announcement — the return of its $5 value meal. This pocket-friendly deal includes a choice of sandwiches, a four-piece order of McNuggets, medium fries, and a drink. Not to be outdone, Burger King is also stepping up with its own $5 Your Way Meal, featuring a sandwich, chicken nuggets, fries, and a drink. And of course, Wendy’s weighed in first with its $3 breakfast meals, then with its 1-cent bacon cheeseburgers. These affordable options are a welcome respite for consumers amidst the rising fast food prices.
Although the McDonald’s meal is served with some small print — it’s only going to be offered for a limited time at a select number of locations — those deals are a welcome break for consumers, who have started to experience a bit of fast food sticker shock. A recent LendingTree survey of 2,025 Americans between the ages of 18 and 78 revealed that a significant number of people were starting to cut back on their fast food cravings because of ever-increasing prices, and more than three-quarters of respondents (78%) now consider fast food to be a luxury.
Here’s How Americans Have Been Changing Their Dining Habits Due to Rising Costs
When asked whether they agreed with the statement, “fast food has gotten more expensive, and I now view it as a luxury,” more than three-quarters of respondents said yes. Additionally, just under two-thirds of survey respondents (65%) said they had been "shocked" by a recent high bill at a fast food restaurant, and that percentage jumped to 72% among parents who had children under the age of 18.
“The results make clear, regardless of the context, that most Americans now see fast food as a luxury,” North Carolina-based LendingTree found. “That’s a new phenomenon. Yes, there have always been groups of Americans who might have viewed fast food that way because of their financial struggles. However, for the vast majority of Americans to feel that way seems like a significant cultural shift, and a troubling sign.”
There were also differences between perception and reality among respondents. Over two-thirds (67%) said that ordering fast food should be cheaper than eating at home, but when asked what they do when they want an “easy, inexpensive meal,” over half (56%) said they prepare something at home. By comparison, only 28% opted for fast food as the “easy, inexpensive” option.
Interestingly, not all fast food chains are perceived in the same way. In the survey, respondents were asked to identify the most “high-end” fast food offering. Chick-fil-A emerged as the clear winner, with 25% of respondents considering it the more upscale option. Starbucks, Chipotle, and McDonald’s followed closely with 22%, 21%, and 16% respectively. On the other hand, Dunkin’ was rated as the most high-end option by a minuscule 1% of respondents, narrowly surpassing Domino’s and Burger King, who were both tied at 2%. This variation in perception adds an intriguing layer to the fast food industry.
Here’s What’s Really Going on With Skyrocketing Food Prices
If the price increases continue, the chains’ perceived status may not matter as much as what we can afford to order at the drive-thru. Bring on those $5 meal deals!
Biden did what Michelle Obama, couldn’t do - make people stop eating fast food!
Whatja think was gonna happen wif da 40/hr minimum wage for burger flippers?
Robotics!
My son and I have cut way back on eating out. I’m back to cooking a lot more. Feels good to be creative in the kitchen.
Butt neither Mooch nor Traitor Xoe nor Hitlery lifted a finger to refund the FDA aka
F raudulent
D ietery
A dvisors
The FDA “food pyramid” is in decadenal need of inversion.
it was ALWAYS a luxury...
While the TV advertising chains have boosted prices many of the mom & pop “family restaurants” have only made modest increases.
Mrs. L and don’t often eat lunches “out” but yesterday we went to such an m & p and had not only had a great meal for about one Jackson but had enough boxed leftovers for supper as well.
Couldn’t do that at Mikky D’s ...
MAGAnomics is going to beat the heck outta Biden & his Bidenomics. Hee,hee,hee!
Then Obama made sure they could be gov subsidized through EBT.
Here’s hoping.
When I was young back in the 60’s, it was a rare event for my family to go to a fast food place because of the cost. For trips, my mother made peanut butter sandwiches, bologna sandwiches and Kool-Aid for us which was kept in a cooler.
And who knows what garbage is in the McDonald’s food?
yup...
05/30/2024 4:24:19 AM PDT · by RomanSoldier19 · 37 replies
WJBF Augusta ^ | 5/29/24 | Story by Marc Sternfield
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4240987/posts
My luxury is the $18 organic, grass-fed ham hock I bought from a local farmer earlier this week. I just made a huge bucket of Southwestern Black Bean soup with it that will give me about 10 meals to freeze.
More like pig slop.
Shouldn’t you chime in on these threads?
[When I was young back in the 60’s, it was a rare event for my family to go to a fast food place because of the cost. For trips, my mother made peanut butter sandwiches, bologna sandwiches and Kool-Aid for us which was kept in a cooler.]
During COVID I didn’t eat out at all, except maybe 5 times to meet with family.
Luxury?
I’d go with Emergency.
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