Why Is McDonald's So Expensive Now?

When you think of the difference between the rich and the poor, private jets, concierge doctors or even homeownership probably come to mind. But the new dividing line is actually burgers. McDonald’s prices are cutting out customers who make less than $45,000 a year, which is about one-third of Americans. It hasn’t hurt the Golden Arches - by any measure, business is booming. But it’s a stark reminder that a growing number of people in the US are struggling to afford the basics.
‪@BloombergOpinion‬'s Nir Kaissar breaks down the data to explain why it’s time to add burgers to the list of what separates the haves and have-nots.
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#mcdonalds #inequality #inflation #trump #opinion #bloomberg #economy #math #data #useconomy #fastfood #incomeinequality #financialliteracy
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Reporting by: Nir Kaissar
Produced by: Mary Newman
Data visualizations: Nir Kaissar, Carolyn Silverman, Taylor Tyson, Elaine He
Video Editing: Mary Newman
Motion Graphics: Mary Newman
Do the Math Theme Music by: Craig Wedren
Production Assistance: Ale Lampietti, Christina Sterbenz,
Mic-Anthony Hay, Christine Vanden Byllaardt

[@BloombergOpinion]

📣We are planning to do an episode dedicated solely to answering your biggest questions about money! 📣Drop your questions in the comments and Nir will answer them in an upcoming video.

[@MaskedMageYT]

Stopped going to mcdonalds when a $3 breakfast sandwich went to $7.

[@keithlandry972]

I got a double 1/4 pounder with cheese and bacon as well as a spicy chicken sandwich last night and it was $22.13 and that’s my last visit there

[@Nikkithedog-t6b]

What rural cow town you live in?

[@nuttysquirrel8816]

I got a quarter pounder value meal with extra cheese for $6.49 back in 2015, I just didn't eat it. Today that value meal looks exactly the same as the day I bought it. 😀

[@keithlandry972]

@@Nikkithedog-t6b Currently in Manchester, VT. Supposedly one of the pricier towns in Vermont

[@animusadvertere3371]

Proves how many people have money but no taste

[@rahdirog]

McDonald’s is overpriced $12-15 dollars for the average meal Cheaper to eat at Chili’s 11 bucks I get a burger fry and drink a much bigger burger, more fries and a good size drink Thanks, McDonald’s for losing another loyal customer

[@Thebrightonexplorerxc]

Mc Donald’s is super expensive in UK. It’s about £11 for meal . Rewind back to last year it cost just £7.

[@RJ-666]

In 1995 a meal was £2.40

[@jamesyates4319]

In the future all restaurants will be Taco Bell.😅

[@DrLongLiveDead]

Just last week or so the rewards got worse. Daily BOGO free on Double Cheese burger turned to BOGO for 30 cents. Still incredibly cheap to get two doubles with cheese and mac sauce for 5.02 after tax.

[@jgaunce6299]

Stopped going, food is crap for the price point

[@stewslax-kj9pq]

boycot these greedy fast food scams

[@williamwilson6499]

Fast food costs are not out of control. You aren’t compelled to buy it. You’re really paying for convenience, and it’s up to you when that limit is reached.

[@animusadvertere3371]

Grocery store prices are way up too

[@quartytypo]

Nothing lasts forever. McDonalds and other fast-food joints are finished. They are just another restaurant. And there are too many of them.

[@unfound6183]

In Hawaii, the large fries cost over 5 bucks 😭

[@YoungMesrine]

We should make a trend or a challenge about cooking home meal. Macdonald , Burgerking, Pizzahut etc are expensive now

[@dontcare9689]

I say let them go out of business cook at home it's cheaper.

[@helenwolf6205]

Great coverage

[@BretStevens-j4g]

Because McDonald's workers deserve 20 dollars an hour. When I worked there we wee were paid 4.25 an hour

[@SayNo2NoseBeers]

$ 13.15 For Sausage Egg Meal with Extra Hash Brown.

[@SCUBONZIES]

5 bucks for better quality jeeze America is cheap .

[@lorenzvalle214]

I Swear the CEO of McDonald’s needs To Lower The Prices

[@Nikkithedog-t6b]

The answer is Macdonalds hasn't gotten expensive. First, if you live in the sticks there is a good chance you pay a premium. But all fast places have deals particularly in the app, with Macdonalds app being exceptionally good. I can't remember the last time I actually paid for French fries at Macdonalds, they are almost always free in the app. Most Macdonalds have all sizes are same price drinks, been a dollar but might be 1.25 now. The app usually has bogo burgers as well as 15 or 20% off offers. I live in a city so a big mac is in the mid to high 5s. I have seen it at 7 and change in the sticks. Limited competition in rural areas costs money.

[@Limaj-kv8qu]

It’s definitely expensive for some fake food, 10 years ago the price was cheap

[@matt2.019]

The McD's app is alright, but Burger King and Wendy's have way better apps. I can get 2 jr bacon cheeseburgers, a large fry, and a frosty for $7 on the Wendy's app, which is about what it cost pre-COVID

[@graymanmedia]

Can anyone name me a place where it's cheap to eat and they pay their 25 employees $15 an hour? Plus they have to maintain 500 people per day showing up.

[@romcallis]

Boycott

[@codelessunlimited7701]

Mcdonald's adjusting its prices to inflation.

[@jamesyates4319]

Mc Donald's is way ahead of inflation. Compare prices with those of 5 years ago and most prices have doubled.

[@Winning1]

its to do with to many McDonald's and no where else truly to put new ones so the only way to increase profit is to charge more take your family to a pub lunch with drinks cost around £30 take your family to McDonald's cost around £40 im going to the pub.

[@PassionataDance]

When I was a kid. Mcdonalds was a nice dining experience where they played musac and had plants and nice dining areas, being a mcdonalds cashier was a career. Then they started hiring children to muck around in the back. Prefabricated their stores, put flourescent lights in and opened the kitchen up so you could hear all the machines beeping. Vote with your wallets.

[@stewslax-kj9pq]

100%, VOTE WITH YOUR WALLET, please and thank you

[@mrmack3176]

Unfortunately the government dont care thays why theu havent did anything to put thosw ideas to lows

[@fleabag2mr.151]

McDonald's is not a career unless you are a franchisee or restaurant manager period. 40k to flip burgers is insane.😮

[@waultz4143]

The manager position is absolutely a joke of a job.

[@Michael-pi8ps]

40k is nothing. I make double that and can only comfortably afford a 1 bedroom apartment.

[@lordcrayzar]

You’re a dingus

[@santostv.]

Maybe this time obesity will go 📉, keep away from fast food

[@Limaj-kv8qu]

No it won’t because people In America don’t work out lol😂it’s not the food that kills Americans it’s the not being active since high school in terms of working out that kills many of us, you have people in their 50s that haven’t worked out since high school gym class

[@mrmann44]

Where are all these customers? I don't know anyone in any income bracket going there.

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

I went to mcdonalds once in a while and im shocked that the least expensive combo the 2 cheeseburger with fries ans medium soda are 9.29

[@owowhatsthis....3025]

Beautiful on point, of an ugly truth.

[@coopsnz1]

Independant cost more for a meal than a franchsie ! big breakfast & large coffee $30 in australia