Americans Complain About Fast Food

In Joe Biden’s America, the once casual indulgence of “I’ll have fries with that” has turned into a considered luxury for many. A staggering 78 percent of Americans now view fast food as a “luxury” purchase, a reflection of how dramatically the cost of these meals has risen. Despite President Biden’s insistence that the U.S. economy is flourishing under “Bidenomics™,” a new survey paints a very different picture.

A non-probability random-sampling survey by LendingTree reveals that the majority of Americans are feeling the pinch when it comes to their fast-food habits. While three out of four Americans typically enjoy fast food once a week, 62 percent are cutting back due to rising prices. The survey found that 63 percent of respondents believe fast food should be cheaper than eating at home, but 75 percent say this is no longer the case. Additionally, 46 percent report that a meal at a fast-food restaurant now costs about the same as one at a sit-down restaurant, with 22 percent noting that fast food is even more expensive.

This shift in perception is particularly pronounced among certain demographics. For Americans earning less than $30,000 a year, parents with young children, Gen Zers, and women, the high cost of fast food is keenly felt. A full 78 percent of consumers view fast food as a luxury, with half of Americans indicating this view stems from their financial struggles.

The survey also highlighted concerns over surge pricing and tipping. A significant 78 percent of Americans are worried about surge pricing at fast-food restaurants, although 72 percent would be more likely to eat at these establishments during off-hours if discounts were available. Tipping has also become a contentious issue, with 44 percent of respondents reporting being asked to tip on fast food in the past six months, and 43 percent of those refusing to add gratuity.

Not all fast-food chains are viewed equally. Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, and Chipotle are ranked as the most high-end fast-food chains by Americans, with many customers using apps to find deals and return more frequently.

Fast-food price hikes have outpaced inflation significantly in recent years. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis shows that the cost of fast-food meals has increased by 41 percent since 2017, compared to a 35.9 percent rise in the consumer price index. Columnist Dan O’Donnell of the MacIver Institute noted that basic items like McDonald’s cheeseburgers and Chick-fil-A nuggets have seen price increases of up to 200 percent in less than five years, impacting lower- and middle-class families the most.

Fast-food patrons, typically lower-income earners with young children, often rely on quick, affordable meals. However, when the cost of a family meal jumps from $35-$40 to $65-$70, these families face tough choices. They must either forgo their meal out or stretch their budgets even further.

Amid these financial challenges, the focus of the Biden administration and the Democratic Party on the legal battles surrounding Donald Trump seems out of touch with the daily struggles of millions of Americans. From gas prices to grocery costs and even the rising expense of fast food, the economic pressures on hardworking Americans are intensifying, leading many to question the administration’s priorities and economic policies.

While Bidenomics™ is touted as a success, the lived experiences of many Americans suggest a different reality. As fast-food prices soar and financial stress mounts, the gap between political rhetoric and economic reality grows ever wider.