While a McDonald’s Big Mac is the object of many customers’ cravings, some fans are ready to boycott the fast food chain in response to their continued menu price hikes. McDonald’s is just one of the many fast food chains that have been strategically raising the prices of their menu items in the recent past, and customers are fed up. In a popular Reddit post, user @WeBeatPokemon is calling for a boycott. Keep reading for more information.
McDonald’s Continues To Raise Menu Prices
Over the past three years, McDonald’s has been raising the price of various items on their menus. Though the price varies across different states, the overall trend is certainly on the rise. McDonald’s CFO Ian Borden confirmed this in a call with investors, citing “strategic” price hikes as one of the ways they’ve increased their revenue. In 2022, McDonald’s net income rose from $1.9B to $2.3B—which explains the “outrageous” prices that customers are reporting.
To add to this, minimum wage is increasing in several states. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill in October that would increase minimum wage for fast food workers to $20/hour by April 1, 2024. And many fast food chains like McDonald’s are using this as an opportunity to increase their prices once again. McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski announced in an earnings call that this price increase would be coming soon: “Certainly, there’s going to be some element of that that does need to be worked through with higher pricing,” he says.
This made customers furious, with one Reddit user writing, "What's the point of a wage increase if you increase everything else too?"
"What's the point in raising minimum wage just to raise the cost of living?" a second customer agreed. Which leads us to the boycott.
Reddit User Calls For A McDonald's Boycott
User @WeBeatPokemon started a thread on Reddit that's garnering some attention: "Everyone needs to boycott McDonald's after price hike," they wrote. "$3.59 for a McChicken sandwich is criminal. Up in Malta it is $1.89. We all need to come together and boycott... It's a slap in the face to the community. Do they think they're fine dining? We can't let them keep raising the price. 3 years ago, a McChicken was $1.00. I'm sorry but people's wages haven't gone up 300%."
And many other users agreed: "It's to the point where you might as well get a burger at the next tier up," one person wrote. "Last time I went Chili's had burgers and other stuff from $10-$20 and is way better. 5 Guys is a bit pricey but if you're paying $15 at McDonald's might as well get that instead."
"Got a large fry (barely filled past halfway), a large shake and a double cheeseburger the other day. I was baffled at the $17 price tag for three things," a third user replied. "Fries for $5.39 I was like uhhh okay not doing that again. Just been stopping at BK more instead—it's always much cheaper."
"It’s just something that no longer seems worth it at some price and you stop going and instead go to a competitor," a fourth agreed.
"Last time I went was the last time ever!" said another.
"Down with ‘em (finally)!" a final customer commented.
