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.

  • droans@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    about 25% of people who make under $50,000 were cutting back on fast food

    Only 25%? Who hasn’t cut back, even if it’s subconsciously?

    I know it’s just an anecdote, but my wife and I make a lot more than that and we’ve had to cut how often we get fast food because it’s become way too expensive.

    Shit, half the time we just get sit-down service because the cost isn’t that much higher. Why would we get low quality fast food for $30 when we can go to a local sit-down restaurant and get higher quality food for $40, tip included?

    • kameecoding@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      to me restaurants are now for special occasions, I can cook well enough that restaurants just feel disappointing.

    • masinko@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      Without context of that poll, that doesn’t mean much. Someone who eat fast food or have it often might not have to cut back on eating it.

    • TubularTittyFrog@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      a lot of people are addicts when it comes to fast food, take out, and delivery.

      it’s the convenience they are addicted to.