[ultimafan]

I feel like this is 100% it. We used to go to McDonald's pretty often as a cheap but tasty treat. Being able to grab a few burgers, orders of fries etc. to feed a whole family for significantly less than it would cost to go out to eat at a "real" restaurant.

Now it's go out and pay $15 per person at McDonald's for crappy, inconsistent food that doesn't even taste that good anymore and eat it in a dirty McDonald's location with crazy homeless people making a scene not 10 feet away from you. Or you pay $17-18 per person to go get a big, juicy, well-made burger from a proper bar and grill with clean seating and family atmosphere. It just makes absolutely no sense to go to McDonald's unless you're on a road trip at weird hours of the night where nothing else within miles of you is open. Taco Bell, KFC and others have had similar problems for us.

We've gone from eating fast food two or three times a month to eating it maybe once or twice a year after the pandemic.

[rahimnathwani]

McDonald's doesn't cost $15 per head.

Right now when I open the app:

- One of the 'app exclusive deals' is 35% off an order over $12

- A Big Mac meal (burger, fries, drink) is $12.97 before that discount

- A double cheeseburger (no fries or drink) is $3.99

[ultimafan]

I don't order from the app, didn't know there were discount there. I probably won't use the app anyways, I think it's ridiculous having to install an app for every fast food place just to get better prices, I'd rather just not go anymore than do that.

And is the meal before/after tax? I distinctly remember last time I was there a few months ago being shocked that the price came out to about $15 per person all getting meals.

[az09mugen]

You're right, but for someone like me who hate feel hunger just 2 hours after a big mac meal, I must take 2 or 3 simple cheeseburgers + the big mac meal to feel ok until diner. It costs me more than $15. I don't go there anymore by myself unless there is no other options left.

[UncleMeat]

What you are describing is like 1500-2000 calories even if you get a diet soda. At least you'll have to agree that it isn't typical for a person to eat this much in a single meal at mcdonalds.