Fast food prices have increased at a rate far outpacing inflation. While the average inflation rate for 2022 was 8%, “fast-food menu prices jumped significantly in 2022 — about 13%,” writes CNET, citing data from Pricelisto.
“That’s even more than the cost of groceries, which bounced roughly 12% in 2022,” notes author David Watsky.
There are a few things that can account for these price increases. One is a phenomenon called “premiumization,” where businesses add more, higher-priced “premium” products for shoppers willing to spend more. The hope, explains a New York Times article from March, is that businesses will make more from fewer customers ready to spend more, than from many customers who spend less.
However, for everyday shoppers looking to eat at a familiar restaurant, these sudden price increases can come as a shock and, eventually, a frustration. Now, a user on TikTok has sparked discussion after voicing his ire at these rising prices.
“It seems like fast food restaurants have forgotten that we do not eat them because they are good. We eat at them because they are cheap,” says TikTok user @pizzabreak.tv in a video with over 306,000 views.
@pizzabreak.tv #greenscreen #politics #fastfood #economic #inflation #foodcost #leftist #liberal #democrat #poor #localbusiness #wendys #mcdonalds #tacobell #dontgetscammed #fyp ♬ original sound – Pizza politics
“Not that long ago, I used to be able to get McChickens for $1,” the TikToker recalls. “Then, it became ‘if you get two McChickens it’ll be $2’—otherwise it’s like $1.39 or something. Now, they are charging $4 for two f*cking McChickens. Are you out of your f*cking minds?”
McDonald’s, the TikToker says, is not alone in this behavior. He goes on to state that other fast food chains, such as Wendy’s and Taco Bell, have also had substantial price increases.
“The bottom line at this point is, you might as well just start eating at local restaurants,” the TikToker states. “You might as well go to local places because they’re going to charge a comparable price with better quality food.”
“And honestly, just stop eating at f*cking Taco Bell, Wendy’s—all these fast food restaurants that think it’s OK to increase their cost by 50 or even 100 percent over the course of a couple of years,” he concludes. “Because inflation is not that f*cking high and there’s no reason why we should allow them to f*cking charge us this much for f*cking dogsh*t food that’s probably poisoning us anyway.”
In the comments section, many users agreed with the TikToker’s assessment.
“Dude I went to Subway and got a wrap a drink and a chips and they charged $20,” recalled a user. “Might as well just go to a nice restaurant huh.”
“Wish local places were comparable but I went to a food truck and got a quesadilla, tostada and a coke for $30!!!” exclaimed another.
“No bc [Chick-fil-A] has always been expensive but why was it $7.50 for just a chicken sandwich last time i went,” shared a third.
The Daily Dot reached out to @pizzabreak.tv via Instagram direct message.
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Source: https://www.dailydot.com/news/mcdonalds-doubled-cost-mcchickens/