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Post by FrankSobotka1514 on Feb 27, 2024 23:02:21 GMT
Starting in 2025, depending on the time of day you order from Wendy's, the price of your meal will vary, costing more during peak times presumably. A few thoughts on this. I do eat fast food from time to time. Much less than I used to but still some. I'd say that 85% of my fast food purchases are with Chick Fil A, with the rest divvied up between McDonald's, Freddy's, and Shake Shack. I haven't eaten Wendy's in at least 20 years, and at least back then they were consistently awful. I mean everything was just fucking gross. So specifically as this relates to Wendy's, it doesn't affect me at all. I will continue to not go to Wendy's. What I'm afraid of is that this will be the new thing, not just at other fast food places but everywhere. I imagine just like airlines, when one decides to raise their checked bag fees, the other airlines quickly follow suit. So I don't want Chick Fil A or the few others I like to start doing this. Also, the whole point of fast food is to be quick and cheap. My Chick Fil A value meal for just me is around $14. Shake Shack is closer to $20. I've read stories of astronomical prices of fast food on the west coast. I as a consumer am saying fuck this. I'm not trying to be an old get off my lawn guy, but literally not that long ago value meals could still be had for like $5, $6 bucks. I'm not going to pay Outback Steakhouse prices for food that generally tastes like shit anyway. End rant. Wendy's |
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Post by Shane Falco on Feb 27, 2024 23:28:58 GMT
Jimmy Kimmel did a bit during his monolog about restaurants upping prices during prime dinner hours. I thought it was just a joke but apparently this is happening and Wendy's is joining.
I used to like Wendy's a lot but the one in my town is fucking horrible and just grease in a bag. Your burgers would literally drip. I remember they even forgot me in the drive thru once. After their dining room closed they would still do drive thru and they would always tell you after you paid to pull up to the door instead of staying in the window. Dont know why. But they forgot I was there and the doors were locked so I couldn't go in and ask for my food. Last time I ever went there.
My normal fast food intake would normally be McDonald's or Arby's. I haven't had fast food since covid though so no idea how prices have changed other than hearing McDonald's dropped their dollar menu which I would normally pig out on.
If Wendy's is doing this than its only a matter of time til the other chains follow suit I guess. Which that sucks. A place like McDonald's is open 24 hours, so would stuff be cheaper at 2AM or more expensive for post bar closing people getting food? I would imagine breakfast hours and dinner hours post 5 after work hours would be most expensive.
Maybe this would stop Americans from eating so much fast food though. It used to be so much cheaper to eat than to actually try and eat healthy.
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Post by twothousandonemark on Feb 28, 2024 0:08:11 GMT
I read Subway is ditching yellow mustard because supply & demand issues.
lols good luck with that.
As for the Wendy's thing, I won't notice as I eat there maybe 3-6x a year max, & some of those are whilst travelling.
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Post by masterofallgoons on Feb 28, 2024 1:48:09 GMT
Fast food is trash and only for road trips when nothing else is open or convenient.
I won't notice.
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Post by Rey Kahuka on Feb 28, 2024 13:18:17 GMT
You guys are looking at this backward. They aren't doing this to price gouge (well, partly they are), they're doing it to encourage you to get fast food at a time when you otherwise wouldn't. It eases the congestion of their peak hours work flow, but more importantly, gets them more sales when they wouldn't have had them before. I'm not saying I agree with it, but I understand.
Also yes, fast food is not great and should be consumed in moderation, so this shouldn't affect any of us that much. If this change is even noticeable to you, you should probably change your eating habits.
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Tim05
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Post by Tim05 on Feb 28, 2024 14:13:57 GMT
After their dining room closed they would still do drive thru and they would always tell you after you paid to pull up to the door instead of staying in the window. Dont know why. They often do this because they are graded on the time cars sit in their drive thru. I worked at Dairy Queen in high school, and we had a timer that timed when a car pulled up to the drive thru, until when they left, and if we hit a certain mark we got a bonus. Especially late at night, when they are less likely to have items sitting made ready to go (burger patties, chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets) and have to cook it fresh for every order, it kills their time because 1 car is sitting 5+ minutes no matter what. During the day when lines are long, they are making those items to stock basically because they move so fast. Pulling cars up, or into parking spots, clears their timers of wait time in drive thru |
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Post by FrankSobotka1514 on Feb 28, 2024 14:38:15 GMT
You guys are looking at this backward. They aren't doing this to price gouge (well, partly they are), they're doing it to encourage you to get fast food at a time when you otherwise wouldn't. It eases the congestion of their peak hours work flow, but more importantly, gets them more sales when they wouldn't have had them before. I'm not saying I agree with it, but I understand. Also yes, fast food is not great and should be consumed in moderation, so this shouldn't affect any of us that much. If this change is even noticeable to you, you should probably change your eating habits. I semi disagree with it. Without looking it up I’m going to guess that out of all fast food restaurants Wendy’s is not in the top 5. They’re doing this for money. They’re doing this to know when to cut back on staff. There is absolutely no benefits to the customer because I guarantee you that the price of the big baconator or whatever the fuck will be its normal every day price at off peak hours. What’s off peak anyway? 10:00am? 3:00pm? 8:00pm and later? If someone is eating there during those times there’s a reason, it won’t be because we the consumers have adjusted when we eat. So first it’ll be Wendy’s. Then all the rest of the fast food places (except for Burger King, they’ll give Wendy’s the big BK middle finger). Then it will cross over to other types of business. I need gas in my car but it’s noon, it’ll be 20 cents more per gallon than after dinner. I have to stop at Lowe’s on my way home from work to fix my toilet, but all the cashiers are on break. It’s a 33% markup during pm rush hour. There is not one single corporation that won’t abuse this because there is not one single corporation that gives the tiniest rat fuck about their customers. |
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Post by Winston Wolfe on Feb 28, 2024 15:49:34 GMT
You guys are looking at this backward. They aren't doing this to price gouge (well, partly they are), they're doing it to encourage you to get fast food at a time when you otherwise wouldn't. It eases the congestion of their peak hours work flow, but more importantly, gets them more sales when they wouldn't have had them before. I'm not saying I agree with it, but I understand. Also yes, fast food is not great and should be consumed in moderation, so this shouldn't affect any of us that much. If this change is even noticeable to you, you should probably change your eating habits. I semi disagree with it. Without looking it up I’m going to guess that out of all fast food restaurants Wendy’s is not in the top 5. They’re doing this for money. They’re doing this to know when to cut back on staff. There is absolutely no benefits to the customer because I guarantee you that the price of the big baconator or whatever the fuck will be its normal every day price at off peak hours. What’s off peak anyway? 10:00am? 3:00pm? 8:00pm and later? If someone is eating there during those times there’s a reason, it won’t be because we the consumers have adjusted when we eat. So first it’ll be Wendy’s. Then all the rest of the fast food places (except for Burger King, they’ll give Wendy’s the big BK middle finger). Then it will cross over to other types of business. I need gas in my car but it’s noon, it’ll be 20 cents more per gallon than after dinner. I have to stop at Lowe’s on my way home from work to fix my toilet, but all the cashiers are on break. It’s a 33% markup during pm rush hour. There is not one single corporation that won’t abuse this because there is not one single corporation that gives the tiniest rat fuck about their customers. That’s pretty much my only gripe with this crap. I eat Wendy’s occasionally, but not enough to care about this. But no way in freaking hell are other businesses not going to use and, of course, eventually abuse this practice. |
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Post by Rey Kahuka on Feb 28, 2024 16:26:06 GMT
You guys are looking at this backward. They aren't doing this to price gouge (well, partly they are), they're doing it to encourage you to get fast food at a time when you otherwise wouldn't. It eases the congestion of their peak hours work flow, but more importantly, gets them more sales when they wouldn't have had them before. I'm not saying I agree with it, but I understand. Also yes, fast food is not great and should be consumed in moderation, so this shouldn't affect any of us that much. If this change is even noticeable to you, you should probably change your eating habits. I semi disagree with it. Without looking it up I’m going to guess that out of all fast food restaurants Wendy’s is not in the top 5. They’re doing this for money. They’re doing this to know when to cut back on staff. There is absolutely no benefits to the customer because I guarantee you that the price of the big baconator or whatever the fuck will be its normal every day price at off peak hours. What’s off peak anyway? 10:00am? 3:00pm? 8:00pm and later? If someone is eating there during those times there’s a reason, it won’t be because we the consumers have adjusted when we eat. So first it’ll be Wendy’s. Then all the rest of the fast food places (except for Burger King, they’ll give Wendy’s the big BK middle finger). Then it will cross over to other types of business. I need gas in my car but it’s noon, it’ll be 20 cents more per gallon than after dinner. I have to stop at Lowe’s on my way home from work to fix my toilet, but all the cashiers are on break. It’s a 33% markup during pm rush hour. There is not one single corporation that won’t abuse this because there is not one single corporation that gives the tiniest rat fuck about their customers. Oh I agree it doesn't benefit the customer, dynamic pricing never does. But the economic benefits to the company (such as how to staff the store, per your example) beyond gouging for gouging's sake are obvious. I'm just saying they're double dipping here. Not only does it get them more at peak hours, it also incentivizes visiting a Wendy's at a time when otherwise maybe you wouldn't have. It's a win/win for them, but the good news is we all have the option of not going to Wendy's. I can guarantee your local restaurants (or even some chains) won't adopt this practice, simply so they can advertise themselves as the alternative. |
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Post by sdm3 on Feb 28, 2024 16:54:07 GMT
Rest easy folks - all is well. In my time living in the US (which admittedly is not my entire life) - I never once ate at Wendy's. Nor, surprisingly, Dairy Queen.
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Post by FrankSobotka1514 on Feb 28, 2024 17:10:54 GMT
Rest easy folks - all is well. In my time living in the US (which admittedly is not my entire life) - I never once ate at Wendy's. Nor, surprisingly, Dairy Queen. There is absolutely a zero percent chance that they will only use those digital menu boards only for lowering prices at off peak hours. Zero. It will be like getting gas where the price changes for reasons known only to OPEC. It’s noon and Wendy’s is busy. You think their AI won’t say 10% markup on frostys! I’m arguing this as if Wendy’s is this exotic delicacy. Their food blows. I wouldn’t eat it for free. But if they have success with it all the others will try it too. By the way, if you find a Dairy Queen that has fast food too instead of just ice cream, they’re really good. |
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Post by mtbg on Feb 28, 2024 17:13:42 GMT
I semi disagree with it. Without looking it up I’m going to guess that out of all fast food restaurants Wendy’s is not in the top 5. They’re doing this for money. They’re doing this to know when to cut back on staff. There is absolutely no benefits to the customer because I guarantee you that the price of the big baconator or whatever the fuck will be its normal every day price at off peak hours. What’s off peak anyway? 10:00am? 3:00pm? 8:00pm and later? If someone is eating there during those times there’s a reason, it won’t be because we the consumers have adjusted when we eat. So first it’ll be Wendy’s. Then all the rest of the fast food places (except for Burger King, they’ll give Wendy’s the big BK middle finger). Then it will cross over to other types of business. I need gas in my car but it’s noon, it’ll be 20 cents more per gallon than after dinner. I have to stop at Lowe’s on my way home from work to fix my toilet, but all the cashiers are on break. It’s a 33% markup during pm rush hour. There is not one single corporation that won’t abuse this because there is not one single corporation that gives the tiniest rat fuck about their customers. Oh I agree it doesn't benefit the customer, dynamic pricing never does. But the economic benefits to the company (such as how to staff the store, per your example) beyond gouging for gouging's sake are obvious. I'm just saying they're double dipping here. Not only does it get them more at peak hours, it also incentivizes visiting a Wendy's at a time when otherwise maybe you wouldn't have. It's a win/win for them, but the good news is we all have the option of not going to Wendy's. I can guarantee your local restaurants (or even some chains) won't adopt this practice, simply so they can advertise themselves as the alternative. I agree. I can also see why this makes sense for them, especially the staffing part. The price of fast food has skyrocketed, as has the price of most things. Major culprit is such a big rise in minimum wage. Jobs like Wendy's are supposed to be for high school and college kids looking to make a few bucks. Not supposed to be a job you work to raise a family, though minimum wage is a whole other long story! I'm 48 and try to stay in good shape so very rarely will I eat fast food. When I did Wendy's was a go to over McDonald's and definitely over Burger King. Their breakfast Baconator is still a once in a while guilty pleasure though. |
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Post by klawrencio79 on Feb 28, 2024 17:40:59 GMT
Oh I agree it doesn't benefit the customer, dynamic pricing never does. But the economic benefits to the company (such as how to staff the store, per your example) beyond gouging for gouging's sake are obvious. I'm just saying they're double dipping here. Not only does it get them more at peak hours, it also incentivizes visiting a Wendy's at a time when otherwise maybe you wouldn't have. It's a win/win for them, but the good news is we all have the option of not going to Wendy's. I can guarantee your local restaurants (or even some chains) won't adopt this practice, simply so they can advertise themselves as the alternative. I agree. I can also see why this makes sense for them, especially the staffing part. The price of fast food has skyrocketed, as has the price of most things. Major culprit is such a big rise in minimum wage. Jobs like Wendy's are supposed to be for high school and college kids looking to make a few bucks. Not supposed to be a job you work to raise a family, though minimum wage is a whole other long story! I'm 48 and try to stay in good shape so very rarely will I eat fast food. When I did Wendy's was a go to over McDonald's and definitely over Burger King. Their breakfast Baconator is still a once in a while guilty pleasure though. I think the rise in minimum wage is rather negligible in the grand scheme of things when it comes to pricing. In 2023, Wendy's had gross revenues of $2.18b (a 4% increase from 2022) and had net profits of over $204m (up 15%). Their profit margins were 9.4%, which was up from 8.5% in 2022. Their CEO made about $8m in total compensation last year, comprised of approximately $2.7m in cash comp and $5.3m in equity compensation. The counter-argument to that is the franchisees are the ones paying the wages so they're the ones really affected by it, which is true, but Wendy's rakes those people over the coals in terms of fees, guaranteed minimums, being required to use their people at whatever price they set, etc. If Wendy's made, say, only $100m in net profits last year, then the franchisees could pay their employees a living wage AND not jack up the prices. |
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Post by mtbg on Feb 28, 2024 18:30:22 GMT
I agree. I can also see why this makes sense for them, especially the staffing part. The price of fast food has skyrocketed, as has the price of most things. Major culprit is such a big rise in minimum wage. Jobs like Wendy's are supposed to be for high school and college kids looking to make a few bucks. Not supposed to be a job you work to raise a family, though minimum wage is a whole other long story! I'm 48 and try to stay in good shape so very rarely will I eat fast food. When I did Wendy's was a go to over McDonald's and definitely over Burger King. Their breakfast Baconator is still a once in a while guilty pleasure though. I think the rise in minimum wage is rather negligible in the grand scheme of things when it comes to pricing. In 2023, Wendy's have gross revenues of $2.18b (a 4% increase from 2022) and had net profits of over $204m (up 15%). Their profit margins were 9.4%, which was up from 8.5% in 2022. Their CEO made about $8m in total compensation last year, comprised of approximately $2.7m in cash comp and $5.3m in equity compensation. The counter-argument to that is the franchisees are the ones paying the wages so they're the ones really affected by it, which is true, but Wendy's rakes those people over the coals in terms of fees, guaranteed minimums, being required to use their people at whatever price they set, etc. If Wendy's made, say, only $100m in net profits last year, then the franchisees could pay their employees a living wage AND not jack up the prices. You clearly have a better business background than I do so you lost me at the last part. I was referring to the individual franchise owners as the ones paying those wages hence the move they are making being beneficial as they would have a better idea of how many staff they need for different parts of the day. You mentioned Wendy's corp raking those people over the coals with guaranteed minimums, being required to use their people at whatever price they set, etc. My question is, wouldn't that hurt the individual franchise owners even more hence they again having a problem paying wages and being fully staffed at times where it isn't needed. |
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Post by klawrencio79 on Feb 28, 2024 18:44:21 GMT
I think the rise in minimum wage is rather negligible in the grand scheme of things when it comes to pricing. In 2023, Wendy's have gross revenues of $2.18b (a 4% increase from 2022) and had net profits of over $204m (up 15%). Their profit margins were 9.4%, which was up from 8.5% in 2022. Their CEO made about $8m in total compensation last year, comprised of approximately $2.7m in cash comp and $5.3m in equity compensation. The counter-argument to that is the franchisees are the ones paying the wages so they're the ones really affected by it, which is true, but Wendy's rakes those people over the coals in terms of fees, guaranteed minimums, being required to use their people at whatever price they set, etc. If Wendy's made, say, only $100m in net profits last year, then the franchisees could pay their employees a living wage AND not jack up the prices. You clearly have a better business background than I do so you lost me at the last part. I was referring to the individual franchise owners as the ones paying those wages hence the move they are making being beneficial as they would have a better idea of how many staff they need for different parts of the day. You mentioned Wendy's corp raking those people over the coals with guaranteed minimums, being required to use their people at whatever price they set, etc. My question is, wouldn't that hurt the individual franchise owners even more hence they again having a problem paying wages and being fully staffed at times where it isn't needed. Great question and you're totally right. Being a franchise owner is, by and large, very tough and to answer your question, they don't really give a shit about the franchise owners. Wendy's doesn't really care if a franchisee fails. I mean, they care, obviously, but when they have tens of thousands of stores, they couldn't care less if John Q. Public's net pay is decreased because they have to pay higher wages. I've never done a Wendy's franchise, but I've done Taco Bell, 7-11 for the big names, and then some small regional ones. The common thread is that the franchisor (the big 7-11 company that pulls the strings) just makes all the money and basically just gives the little guy the ability to sell their products under their name. They have to pay monthly fees, pay for their own construction, pay specific suppliers (even if they suck), buy from specific vendors, etc. Whatever is left over they get to keep, and it's generally not much. Plus, nothing stops 7-11 from letting another franchisee open a 7-11 two blocks away from you. So the prevailing theory is that having one franchise does nothing for you, but if you have a dozen franchises, now you're talking and you can then negotiate for exclusive regional rights and even discounts on monthly fees. A solution to the problem that you rightly pointed out is that Wendy's can give franchisees a break on some of the monthly fees; they'll still be rich at the end of the day. |
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Post by NJtoTX on Feb 28, 2024 18:48:01 GMT
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Post by mtbg on Feb 28, 2024 18:56:26 GMT
You clearly have a better business background than I do so you lost me at the last part. I was referring to the individual franchise owners as the ones paying those wages hence the move they are making being beneficial as they would have a better idea of how many staff they need for different parts of the day. You mentioned Wendy's corp raking those people over the coals with guaranteed minimums, being required to use their people at whatever price they set, etc. My question is, wouldn't that hurt the individual franchise owners even more hence they again having a problem paying wages and being fully staffed at times where it isn't needed. Great question and you're totally right. Being a franchise owner is, by and large, very tough and to answer your question, they don't really give a shit about the franchise owners. Wendy's doesn't really care if a franchisee fails. I mean, they care, obviously, but when they have tens of thousands of stores, they couldn't care less if John Q. Public's net pay is decreased because they have to pay higher wages. I've never done a Wendy's franchise, but I've done Taco Bell, 7-11 for the big names, and then some small regional ones. The common thread is that the franchisor (the big 7-11 company that pulls the strings) just makes all the money and basically just gives the little guy the ability to sell their products under their name. They have to pay monthly fees, pay for their own construction, pay specific suppliers (even if they suck), buy from specific vendors, etc. Whatever is left over they get to keep, and it's generally not much. Plus, nothing stops 7-11 from letting another franchisee open a 7-11 two blocks away from you. So the prevailing theory is that having one franchise does nothing for you, but if you have a dozen franchises, now you're talking and you can then negotiate for exclusive regional rights and even discounts on monthly fees. A solution to the problem that you rightly pointed out is that Wendy's can give franchisees a break on some of the monthly fees; they'll still be rich at the end of the day. Interesting. So unless you're like the Touhy's in Th Blind Side, and can own several, doesn't seem worth it to just own one. It's like you have to be a mini-franchise to the corporation's major franchise or don't bother. Thanks for the info! |
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Post by twothousandonemark on Feb 29, 2024 16:51:46 GMT
Now ppl will be watching if they actually ever do cut prices during slow hours. Doubt it. 2023 was the year that I learned, & supposed realized, that prices at one local McDonald's location not only may not necessarily match those of other nearby McDonald's locations, it's probably the rarity they ever do. Except for marketed deals. There's no provincial or national pricing at Canadian McDonald's apparently. |
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Post by nutsberryfarm 🏜 on Feb 29, 2024 17:39:19 GMT
Starting in 2025, depending on the time of day you order from Wendy's, the price of your meal will vary, costing more during peak times presumably. A few thoughts on this. I do eat fast food from time to time. Much less than I used to but still some. I'd say that 85% of my fast food purchases are with Chick Fil A, with the rest divvied up between McDonald's, Freddy's, and Shake Shack. I haven't eaten Wendy's in at least 20 years, and at least back then they were consistently awful. I mean everything was just fucking gross. So specifically as this relates to Wendy's, it doesn't affect me at all. I will continue to not go to Wendy's. What I'm afraid of is that this will be the new thing, not just at other fast food places but everywhere. I imagine just like airlines, when one decides to raise their checked bag fees, the other airlines quickly follow suit. So I don't want Chick Fil A or the few others I like to start doing this. Also, the whole point of fast food is to be quick and cheap. My Chick Fil A value meal for just me is around $14. Shake Shack is closer to $20. I've read stories of astronomical prices of fast food on the west coast. I as a consumer am saying fuck this. I'm not trying to be an old get off my lawn guy, but literally not that long ago value meals could still be had for like $5, $6 bucks. I'm not going to pay Outback Steakhouse prices for food that generally tastes like shit anyway. End rant. Wendy'sYum. |
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