Posted on 06/15/2022 2:12:54 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Here's how America's biggest fast-food chains stack up with customers.
Just how intense is inflation right now? We haven't seen price jumps like these in 40 years, according to numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some of the largest increases over the past 12 months include electricity (up 12%), utility gas service (up 30.2%), and meats, poultry, fish, and eggs (up 14.2%), reports Forbes.
When it comes to buying these necessities, customers don't have much choice. But what about discretionary spending on, say, fast food? How are some of the biggest burger chains faring amid these challenges?
According to data company Placer.ai, of America's three largest burger chains, McDonald's is leading the pack with the best performance in relation to 2019. Compared to the same time period of that year, visits to the chain's locations were up by 6.3% in April and 3.8% in May.
The chain has also seen more foot traffic every single month this year compared to 2021. It looks as though all the changes McDonald's had made in 2021—from raising the bar on celeb collaborations to rolling out its biggest loyalty program nationwide—are paying off.
On the flipside, Wendy's and Burger King are seeing more struggles with foot traffic in the current economic climate. While year-over-year visits were up at both chains, the second- and third-largest burger franchises in America are currently lagging behind their 2019 traffic. Compared to May of 2019, traffic this May dropped by 12.1% and 12.4% respectively.
Could higher prices be at play? Wendy's raised its menu prices by 6% last year, while the chain confirmed it plans to increase them by another 5% in 2022.
"We did talk about taking 5%-plus pricing," said president and CEO Todd Penegor in an interview with CNN Business. "We've got to find that point where we can balance passing on some price but still being of relative value to the consumer."
Over at Burger King's largest franchisee, Carrols Restaurant Group, CEO Paolo Pena is facing reality as well. "Even if inflation moderates in the back half of this year, we're likely to feel its impact on our cost structure for some time," Pena said, according to Restaurant Business. "To deal with it, we are going to need to adapt and evolve as never before. And to do that, we are going to need to look at all aspects of our operations with fresh eyes."
The good news, reports Placer.ai, is that regional burger chains In-N-Out Burger, Whataburger, Sonic Drive-In, and White Castle are seeing consistent growth in visits this year compared to 2019. The question is: What's their secret sauce?
I was at McDonalds today, two McChickens and a large Coke, $3.00. I happen to like McChickens. Best deal left in town.
The whole “foot traffic increase” is just another part of COVID wind-down. None of them had open doors a year ago.
That said, my wife and I usually just order from a restaurant for pick up. We can usually split a meal. It doesn’t cost more and the quality is far superior. Plus, it’s ready when I get there - fast food!
I rarely eat any regular fast food, only if I have to. In Michigan any “meal” is almost $10. So $20+ for 2. Unreal.
Just got done eating at Culvers. No price change.
I like the girls with the broom…I got busy in a Burger King bathroom.
All three are nasty sh!tholes.
Why would anyone want to buy food from them?
“I see the fast-food haters beat me on the thread!”
The problem with fast food is the FAST part. In the old days hunting, farming and just about everything else required physical work. Reaching your arm out the car window does not.
Burger King: “We are going to need to adapt and evolve as never before.”
Educated people do not end sentences with a preposition and avoid failed businesses, such as Burger King. Losers.
In-n-out has Bible quotes on its packaging, good food, good prices and cheerful workers. Winners.
McChickens is fairly decent (for fast food). Their spicy chicken sandwich is horrendous.
I’m not black or a woman
McDs doesnt want me there
Nor have I, in fact I’ve never had a Big Mac or a Whopper.
2 burgers, 1 fry = $25.
They give you a lot of fries so you don’t need to order 2.
Go to cookout (here in North Carolina) and get milkshakes for $3 each ($6 total).
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) does not include food or fuel in its calculations and is therefore a very understated indicator.
Last time I went to Mickey D’s was about 4 years ago. Was running around doing Christmas shopping and figured I’d pick up a quick meal. Was shocked at the high price and low quality back then.
Same here. We used to like 5 Guys, especially the fries. Last time we ate there it ended up over 30 bucks for 2 of us. And the burgers didn't taste right - suspect some change to cheapen the meat. Won't be back. We can still eat at Freddys for around $20 if we want a ff burger.
The service sucks. Took 26 minutes to get served at Burger King at lunch time.
An older gentleman popped his head in while I was waiting. Asked, where is the senior citizens line. Another customer said he wasn’t a senior citizen. I said he will be by the time he gets his food. He left.
Burger King compounded the fumble by making it difficult to complain.
I eat at McDonalds all the time when on the road. Burger King? Sorry, but I don’t want their Gay Pride Burger. Wendy’s is OK.
I’m not on the road often, but that is the only time I eat out. Not when a burger from McD’s can run $8 for just the burger. Although two Sausage Egg McMuffins for $4 is a good deal - if they still have it.
McDonald's has the vest quality control. Wendy's used to be better when Dave Thomas was in charge. Burger King? Let's not go there.
McDonalds used to have Double Cheeseburgers on the value meal for $1.50. I’d buy 2 for a $3 meal. The Internet says they are now about $2.50 each but when I was travelling a couple of months ago I’d swear no one was selling them.
In fact, the McDonalds at truck stops usually only had 1-2 people working with big “Help Wanted” signs all over....
The wife and I are on a road trip and we stopped at a Wendy’s (NC) so the wife could get something. I wasn’t that hungry but decided to get a Wendy’s single burger. All I wanted was the burger...as I’d eat the wife’s fries from her combo. The single patty burger alone was $5.49. I said no thanks.
Wages aren’t increasing fast enough to accommodate that kind of cost.
Yeah, great deals on the McD’s app. I got two Big Macs and a large soda the other day for $6.00
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