I’ve read several articles on this topic and from their own mouths, prices are going up in fast food not because of labor or food cost or supply chain issues but because consumers keep paying them. It’s purely profit seeking and it won’t stop until we stop paying them.
I’ve already cut my fast food consumption from one or twice per week to once every 1-2 months. Now I’m done until the price gouging stops.
Food and labor costs have been easing early this year, at least according to a succession of industry executives on first-quarter earnings calls in recent days. But fast-food restaurants are keeping their foot on the menu-price gas pedal.
“Prices at limited-service restaurants increased 0.6% in April, a slight acceleration from March, albeit one in keeping with recent menu price trends, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
On an annual basis, fast-food menu prices are up 8.2%. By comparison, prices at full-service restaurants increased just 0.1%, down from a 0.7% increase in March. And over the past year those prices are up 7.2%.”
“At the same time, the continued pricing limited-service restaurants continue to take may be a sign that such operators feel little pressure from their customers on their charges. And consumers have continued to spend at fast-food restaurants in recent months despite historically high inflation.
Still, the pricing is coming even as executives tout improvements in the labor and food cost environment that drove a lot of inflation in 2022. Several companies, such as Taco Bell owner Yum Brands and Starbucks, said staffing levels increased, according to a search on the financial services site Sentieo/AlphaSense.
And other chains, such as Portillo’s and Chipotle Mexican Grill, said their labor cost percentages decreased last quarter.
“Inflation has slowed measurably,” Dutch Bros CFO Charles Jemley told investors on Tuesday.
Dutch Bros said on Tuesday that profit margins at company stores improved 590 basis points over the past year in the first quarter. On Wednesday, Wendy’s said profit margins at its corporate stores improved 270 basis points.”
https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/inflation-fast-food-restaurants-shows-no-sign-slowing
You’ll find similar stories from NYT, Washington Post and Wallstreet Journal.
If you think the prices are worth it, then keep paying. But if you’ve fooled yourself into thinking prices keep going up because of “inflation,” they aren’t. It’s purely profit motive.
by 90percenttacos
32 Comments
That’s correct and not because “the economy is bad” like idiot slaves say.
We unironically should have a fast food boyc… YEAH LEMME GET A 10 PC AND A QUARTERPOUNDA
Not me. I’m a cheap fucking bastard. You can lure me in with a good deal, but once it goes away I’m not going to keep coming back and pay exorbitant prices.
Yep. This is the situation with a lot of things. If we all keep playing the game the prices will never come down.
I would never pay full prices for 80% of the menu but I’ll keep using my taco pass and getting the value burritos until i get enough points for the glorious cheesy gordita crunch that i’m never gonna pay 5 bucks for
The only reason prices are going up is because of greed. Plain and simple. They don’t care if we pay their prices or not. So people who do still shop at Taco Bell and other companies aren’t the reason for this situation. People shouldn’t have to boycott a restaurant to initiate some change. This is an issue that needs to be addressed by the people who are actually capable of initiating the change for us. The people who are supposed to be representing our needs and well being.
I’ve just gone with the cravings value menu
Not me, I stopped going to TB a while back because the food isn’t worth the cost anymore
Nah man, I stopped going when they axed the $5 chalupa box.
You forget the best excuse out there.
It’s because of “covid”
I stopped going altogether. This sub serves nicely to remind me I made a good decision. Not only is it too expensive, the quality is nothing like what I grew up with. Del Taco still gets my business tho.
I only go for the deals and value menu. I’m not falling for it
They still have SOME good deals though. I got 2 breakfast tacos, a hashbrown, 2 of those cinnamon bun bite things, and a medium drink for $5 + tax this morning. I was actually pretty shocked.
I just can’t justify paying more for say a taco and getting a half filled taco most times. That’s when I get pissed off and stop going. My FF consumption has decreased and I’ve only been making visit to where I feel that I’m still getting what I’m paying for even if it is slightly higher. I just can’t with TB a whole lot since there’s really no quality control.
Was thinking of getting the BG ghost pepper whopper today, I had it a few years ago and it is good, until I saw just the burger was $7.59. That is a crazy price to pay for a hamburger. Instead we picked up a Papa John’s pizza, XL (which used to be the large) for $14.00
We went to Five Guys last weekend and for both us, burgers, fries, and drinks it was $32.
Fast food is out-pricing itself but as long as the soccer moms and lazy people pay for it they will continue to raise the price. I just wish they would raise the wages also. As for me, I use the app or I don’t get it.
I became a bell head over the past 2 months because of the taco pass and Tuesday drops. By the time November 3 rolls around I’ll have gotten about $130 in food for $15.
Have prices ever gone down for a national chain because of low sales? Genuinely asking
I figure refusals to buy would be more likely to lead to a brand selling or going out of business compared to prices lowering
I stopped eating at Carl’s Jr because their prices became so damn obnoxious. I used to get coupons for 2 westerns for 4 or 5 bucks and now it’s 6 or 7 dollars for 1 western. There are always alternatives
I’m not paying them. I buy the $5.99 box 95% of the time when I go there. And if I don’t, I buy the $1 and $2 items.
This applies to everything!
the fact people need to be told this is wholly embarrassing. 😂
I’m afraid I’ll never have nachos again unless its the 5/10 dollar boxes. 8$ or more is crazy when it can completely miss if they skip out on the meat and cheese, I might actually turn into a Karen asking for refunds or having it be remade.
yea i only buy the 2 cheapest burritos now why a simple taco is over $2 is criminal meatpaste lettuce cheese puh-lease
Prices will never come down. To save money just make the food yourself. A lot cheaper and healthier.
Don’t even get me started…
This is applicable to a lot more then the Taco Bell prices
Last October I was at Taco Bell 3-5 nights a week after work buying the $5 build your own box or a couple $2 burritos. Maybe the delux cravings box on weekends which was $7. Now that build your own box is $7.49, the deluxe is $10.49, the value burritos are $3. And those shi ass chicken quesadillas That I made a post last year saying they weren’t worth $5 are now $7. And I bet they’re still all bread and a dash of cheese and chicken too.
That is $2-$3 INCREASE in menu items in just a year, not even talking about the increase from 2020 I’m talking 22-23. Minimum wage in my state, Connecticut only went up $1 to $15.
I ate Taco Bell twice in the past month and one of those times was today when I got the $1 happy hour drink and a coupon for a free 5 layer burrito.
Not me. No $5 boxes, no Taco Bell. I’ll walk out, and have no problem doing that.
Says you, I am over one year Taco Bell Free. Got my one year chip and dip a couple months ago.
I agree 100 percent OP. I cut them all out too and just cook at home. Once you get into the groove of it and try new things, eating fast food just seems gross. I love TB but rarely go now.
I only get my taco pass taco and one value burrito now. I am less inclined now to spend more now with the current prices than I was a few month ago would I’d oh ver buy due to how much a value I felt I was getting for my buck.
I’ve stopped eating out almost entirely it just hurts the bank too much
I’m blowing through my Fire Rewards, and other freebies at various places, and then I’m done until/unless things get more reasonable.
I’m only one person, I don’t care if nobody else notices or even cares, but I feel better knowing that I’m not contributing to the problem.