Customers Say They Can’t Afford To Eat At McDonald’s Anymore After Paying ‘Almost $30’ For Meals: ‘Used To Be Cheap’
May 17, 2024 by Faith Geiger
Fast food prices are undeniably on the rise, and customers are starting to push back. What was once a cheap and convenient option for a quick meal has now become a source of frustration for many. Reports of “shrinkflation” and price hikes have sparked complaints from budget-conscious consumers who feel they can no longer afford to eat at their favorite fast food chains, with McDonald’s being a prime example.
Recent reports indicate that McDonald’s prices have risen 100% over the past ten years, and this has not gone unnoticed by customers. Comments on one Reddit post in the inflation subreddit have made this clear.
Recently, a user on the inflation subreddit drew attention to a Reuters article detailing McDonald’s recent financial struggles. “Middle class consumers are finally voting with their wallets and telling them to shove it with their insane price increases,” the user wrote.
The article explains that the fast food giant missed its quarterly profit estimates for the first time in two years. According to McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski, “Consumer is certainly being very discriminating in how they spend their dollar … I think it’s important to recognize that all income cohorts are seeking value.” Despite efforts to offer value, global comparable sales growth slid for the fourth straight quarter to 1.9%, falling short of analysts’ estimates.
Kempczinski acknowledged that the company’s affordability advantage has waned, saying, “We have seen that our relative superiority on affordability has declined in some markets.” This has been attributed to the rising costs of raw items like eggs. However, this move has not sat well with many customers.