Kevin Roberts remembers when he could get a bacon cheeseburger, fries and a drink from Five Guys for $10. But that was years ago. When the Virginia high school teacher recently visited the fast-food chain, the food alone without a beverage cost double that amount.

Roberts, 38, now only gets fast food “as a rare treat,” he told CBS MoneyWatch. “Nothing has made me cook at home more than fast-food prices.”

Roberts is hardly alone. Many consumers are expressing frustration at the surge in fast-food prices, which are starting to scare off budget-conscious customers.

A January poll by consulting firm Revenue Management Solutions found that about 25% of people who make under $50,000 were cutting back on fast food, pointing to cost as a concern.

    • Bluefalcon
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      7 months ago

      I’m seeing more local places popping up. I’m happy with that. $15 for a big Mac meal or $15 for the Chicken tikka masala? I’ll take the big Mac, said no one.

      • The_v@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        Full dinner for my family of 4 at McD’s us $65.

        Full dinner at my locally owned restaurant that offers takeout plus lunch the next day from leftovers - $70.

        • Bluefalcon
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          7 months ago

          Eat local. Better food, superior quality, and it keeps money in the neighborhood.

        • marx2k@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          Full dinner for my family of 4 at McD’s us $65.

          That is fucking bananas in pajamas bananas.

          That is bottom tier food for even fast food. $65??!?

          It costs $65 for two dinners from my local Indian restaurant and those dinners can serve two. Our serve two for 2 days.

          wtf

      • HeyJoe@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        Same here, but the reason this doesn’t work is because a bic Mac meal doesn’t cost $15. It’s more like $10 or even lower with deals. If you are on a budget and have no time to cook, I can see how the cheaper option can still sway the decision. For me, it’s lower than that and will settle for Wendy’s 4 for 5. At $5 bucks, it’s absolutely worth it every now and then when I just want something cheap and quick.

        • Bluefalcon
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          7 months ago

          Dave’s combo $9.69 I assume that is a small combo. Local burger place $14.30 that’s with a fountain drink 20oz and a small fry (sweet potato or normal ones). Their small fry will feed two adults, like five guys, they add extra fries.

          Local place uses local beef, veggies, and bacon. Wendy’s I get mystery meats. I’m hoping it’s fresh but we know none of it is.

          If you get an equal product at Wendy’s it would be around $14.69. You will get the large shit fries and a liter of cola. I’ll take the local place. For the record I picked the cheapest meal Wendy’s had bc most families would look for a “deal”. There is the cheaper menu which has jr burgers but my local place has sliders for more $4.45 compared to the $2.49 jr burger. However I can get a good medium rare slider with normal toppings for the $4.45. I will still take that. More food for cheaper.

          Large big Mac is $12.21 so I was off by $2.79

    • Son_of_dad@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      It’s not just fast food unfortunately. Sit down restaurants, even mom and pop ones are through the roof in pricing as well. Even groceries to cook at home are crazy these days with the pricing