This is true of all restaurants. In fact, I would expect McDonald's to be a beneficiary of this as consumers replace more expensive options with McDonald's.
That only makes sense if McDonald's is cheap but it's not. Their quality has significantly declined - most are severely understaffed and can't keep workers, leading to crappy product to the consumer. Nicer restaurants offer different things - atmosphere, better quality food, a night out and serve a different market. McDonald's used to be quick, cheap, and good. Not anymore.
McDonald's had cheap, fast, and good "quality." Now it is no longer cheap, it is no longer fast, and expecting a burger properly put together will only set you up for disappointment.
They're effectively upcharging anyone who buys from them without using their app. If you're willing to use their app and all it entails re: data they get from you, they're still pretty cheap.
In the Bay Area I can get 2x breakfast sandwiches and a large iced coffee for $6.29, taxes included, which is pretty damn cheap. Their Big Macs are regularly 2-for-1 in their app, and accumulate rewards.
I dislike the trend of harvesting all this data using apps, but I also don't really get fast food unless pressed for time.
Correct, they're effectively coupons in the app, so various items are discounted, and not just cheaper across the board. Their biggest sellers like the Big Mac and Quarter Pounder are regularly 2x1 though, so not a terrible deal.
You have to cook. I'm a good cook, but it takes an hour in the kitchen to prepare and average fast meal. (More or less, some meals are faster, some slower)
I do meal prep. I have a set of Pyrex food storage containers that I bought at Costco for $20 and change. I do an hour of cooking and it allows me to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner for three days at a time. It’s hard to imagine what life was like before this.
I like a variety of fresh meals. There is a difference in quality between vegetables you cut just before the meals and what you cut latter. Not everyone is that way, but I am. (this is also one reason I can't stand fast food - it is obviously not fresh.
McDonald's had cheap, fast, and good "quality." Now it is no longer cheap, it is no longer fast, and expecting a burger properly put together will only set you up for disappointment.