There is nothing that is killing modern America more than inflation. It is what dragged it down during the 1920's, and the effects of the 2008 recession and the obvious price increases during COVID times is being felt by all. There is no bigger criminal that is easily recognizable as the golden arches, McDonald's. McDonald's was once known as the place to go for cheap fast food. It was my favorite place to go to as a child. However, times have changed.
It is no secret that the prices of food items have gone through the roof. People are finding any way they can to save money but also get something nice to eat. The increase in prices at McDonald's is no big secret. So I decided to go around as an "anonymous" member of McDonald's hundreds of thousands of employees to ask people what they had thought.
To do so, I asked an old friend of mine to borrow their uniform, which needed a bit of cleaning, but got the job done perfectly. It made it easy for me to talk to the customers since at first glance, I seemed like any other employee at the restaurant. Surveys at McDonald's is commonplace. I went to the locations on 32nd Kennedy BLVD, Newport Centre Mall, and 52nd Bergenline Ave to see the prices of all these different McDonald's. I hear of meals for families reaching $40, $50, some even close to $90 for just 4 people!
This is due to the many increased prices of the different items on the menu. Sources like the New York Post comment on their "strategic" price hikes for the record profits in McDonald's history. And who do they piggyback off of? Those that look for an affordable meal.
I was not alone in my experiences as I asked a number of customers at these locations about their feelings on it.
A group of young teens by Newport voices obvious aggression at the cashiers when told they do not have the "$3.99 bundle" which is common to many of their establishments. Even referring to the employees as "twaxing" I believe. It was an odd set of comments that I had trouble making out, but their disappointment was obvious.
I had asked an older black lady when I saw she had walked into a McDonald's, looked at the menus, and walked out without looking at the cashiers. She stated the the prices were "too high for her liking."
I approached a man at another McDonald's and asked if he was a member of the McDonald's point system and asked why he did so. He simply stated that he "likes the option to get things for free" after having built up enough points. It is a shame that the points will go away eventually as points expire after 6 months of no usage. So if you're trying to avoid the absurd prices of a $4.15 McChicken, make sure to have those points handy!
I've overheard and talked to all sorts of customers, both young and old alike, and a lot of the consensus has come down to McDonald's no longer being a cheap alternative. It is pricey and something people really only go to because of familiarity. It is a sad case as the restaurant was known for a place for families to go to and enjoy a nice snack, but now is nothing more than another money hungry corporate scheme. So next time you go to McDonald's, maybe just settle for a free water cup and eat something at home. That'll be a good save of $15.
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