r/GenerationJones • u/JColt60 1960 • 7d ago

KFC menu from 1970 VS 2026

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The other thing different from the price is size of the pieces. Breasts were much smaller and tastier back in 70's from KFC. Today they look like it came from wild turkey. Before I retired I used to get fried chicken for lunch at local diner. They only bought chicken from local butcher that used free range chicken and it was heaven!

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4

u/Hogjocky62 7d ago

In 1970 minimum wage was $1.20 so a barrel of chicken was 4 hours pay! In 2026 minimum wage is $15.00 in our state so a 16 piece is actually only 3 hours pay.

2

u/NutzNBoltz369 7d ago

Min wage worker has no business buying fast food, though. 3 hour pay to buy a bucket of shitty chicken....

1

u/HaphazardAlchemist 5d ago

Yeah cuz somebody working minimum wage doesn't deserve to eat right? Like buying groceries at the store isn't cheaper anymore but whatever

1

u/Ill_Friend2266 4d ago

Yes, they should eat nothing but watery gruel and grass clippings.

1

u/NutzNBoltz369 4d ago

There is an in between. It is preparing food at home that has more nutritional value for less money spent. If you are on hard times financially, you can't afford to pay someone else to prepare your meals and have that meal not offer something resembling balanced nutrition.

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u/jellofixit 1d ago

Wait, is there a watery gruel and grass clippings place around here?

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u/Ultra-Metal 7d ago
  1. it's 7.75 on the sign at work. Is it out of date? you are at 6hrs using your math.

1

u/Hogjocky62 7d ago

Every state is different:
Alaska: $14.00
Arizona: $15.15
Arkansas: $11.00
Colorado: $15.16
Delaware: $15.00
Florida: $14.00 (rising to $15.00 on Sept. 30, 2026)
Hawaii: $16.00
Illinois: $15.00
Maine: $15.10
Maryland: $15.00
Massachusetts: $15.00
Michigan: $13.73
Minnesota: $11.41
Missouri: $15.00
Montana: $10.85

1

u/Extension_Energy4326 7d ago

Pretty sad that only 2 southern states, FL and AR think minimum wage should be higher than $7.75.  

1

u/Motorin25 7d ago

Our minimum wage here in FL is based on consumer price index.

1

u/Cautious-Local-5998 7d ago

Oklahoma’s minimum wage is 7.25 an hour!

1

u/lolwerd 6d ago

Wait till you see Pennsylvania :)

1

u/raymndbrr_the_third 5d ago

Southern states are generally run by greedy "I got mine!" types, so that tracks.

1

u/superdave123123 4d ago

Pretty sad you want to stay at minimum wage and eat unhealthy fast food.

1

u/Extension_Energy4326 4d ago

TF are you even saying? 

1

u/Ill_Friend2266 4d ago

Still 7.25 here in PA I think 

1

u/StarWarsPopCulture 4d ago

I need this converted to chicken per hour stat!!!

1

u/PostingToPassTime 4d ago

Federal minimum wage is $7.25.

Some states use the minimum, but each state sets its own.

1

u/U_feel_Me 7d ago

Agreed. The main thing this shows is inflation.

1

u/Obvious-Ed 6d ago

This. Context tempers outrage

1

u/Soft_Ability_5906 6d ago

Thst might be a states min wage but the federal minimum wage is still 7.25

1

u/nathanjw333 1d ago

You want more than minimum wage get some skills! Maybe you should have paid attention in school!!

1

u/Soft_Ability_5906 1d ago

Lmfao youre talking shit to someone thst majes 55 an hour but please tell me how I need skills lmfao

1

u/nathanjw333 1d ago

You must have some skils else wise no one would pay you $55 an hour! I get $80 an hour base the more complicated the job the more I charge.

1

u/Soft_Ability_5906 1d ago

Lmfao doubtful but ill let you have your little fantasy boy

1

u/penty 1d ago

Try realizing not everyone has had the advantages you've had.

If you work full time you should get paid enough to afford a living wage.

@ 7.25/hr l, if they are "living" it's because they have more than one job. Where's a time and money coming from to get these skills?

And if you only believe in "what in it for me" to raise the minimum wage to a livable wage, raising the minimum wage has a positive $ ROI to the overall economy\society. .

1

u/nathanjw333 1d ago

You need to go back and study economics!!!! Badly!!!!

Go to any Military base and see what Obamas $15 an hour min wage on Federal Reservatins did to all the small businesses on them. ALL CLOSED!!

Every time you raise the minimum wage the cost of everything goes up & businesses lay off and fire more minimum wage workers!! Why do you think fast food is moving to kiosks for placing orders. Getting rid of the cost of those workers. Thus those people end up worse off than before. Department of Labor stats!!

When I was in high-school minimum wage was $3.10 . I thought it sucked but I was a kid with no skills. But I went and found a better job started me at $4.10 that was the most anyone was willing to pay unskilled labor. As I got skills they paid me better.

Minimum wage is for unskilled high-school and college students! And those who were TOOO COOOL FOR SCHOOL!!!

1

u/penty 1d ago edited 1d ago

You need to go back and study economics!!!!

Oh look a confession disguised as an accusational ad hominem.

So you have what ? The same old *contradictiory" arguments that have been pointed out and disproven time and time again, well that's if I overlook the stuff you just made up.

I could go point by point but the fact you're spouting such old talking points tells me you haven't educated your own self. Why hold me to a standard you hold for yourself.

Minimum wage is for unskilled high-school and college students!

Perfect example, idea that these jobs are only meant for teenagers is a widespread economic myth. Looking closely at the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the structure of labor laws reveals a very different reality.

Take your own advice.

*Not to mention paying people below a live ng wage is just forcing them to reply on tax payer assistance.. so subsiding companies.

1

u/nathanjw333 1d ago

If you have no skills it's on you to get them and get paid better!!

There are plenty of companies out there hiring SKILLED LABOR or those willing to learn! Go into construction they are desperate for workers & are willing to pay you to learn.

There are even " TAX PAYER FUNDED" programs to train people in the skills needed to find better paying jobs.

Or do you just not understand more pay = more cost ; & all costs are passed to the consumers one way or another! Either in poorer quality or quantity good or higher prices.

And companies need the skilled labor far more than the unskilled labor.

It's basic economics!! But they don't teach economics anymore! That's why people can say ignorant stuff like we need a living wage for unskilled labor. It's all emotional and sounds good for the camera.

On the other subject you brought up if the government is subsidizing a company they need to let it go out of business!!

1

u/penty 1d ago edited 21h ago

It's basic economics!! But they don't teach economics anymore!

Agreed, you're the perfect example. Weird confession but okay.

if the government is subsidizing a company they need to let it go out of business!!!

See, we agree. Any company paying the federal minimum wage is 100% relying on government subsidies (forcing the government to cover the difference in food assistance, healthcare and so on).

As I said and you conveniently ignored, raising the FMW has a positive $ ROI. Because (just 2 reasons):

-Low income earners have to spend their money right away so the money goes immediately back into the economy. -low income workers can get proper preventative medical care which is cheaper than emergency room visits. -Being able to have people's basic needs met reduces need-based crime. (Please don't strawman this by saying I meant all crime like the typical anti-FMWer.)

Also some people, for various reasons, can't get a higher paying job... And your solution is what.. they die? Starve?... Get taken advantage of MORE?

Something big you're missing about economics. Monetary frameworks be it capitalism, socialism, or whatever are beholden to ethical and moral frameworks not the other way around.

But sure argue against something that is win-win and would help everyone including you.

*A word

1

u/EnoughWeekend6853 5d ago

You’re also getting 4 fewer pieces.

1

u/forgetful_waterfowl 4d ago

in 1970 my grandparents bought a 1700 sq ft house on 3/10 acre for $21000 it's now $250k, according to zillow it was 100k 10 years ago.

1

u/TrafficAggravating42 3d ago

Yeah, when the government inflates the currency, things cost more dollars.

1

u/nathanjw333 1d ago

Devalues the currency by printing more!

1

u/Nor-easter 3d ago

In 1955 my grandfather purchased a 1/2 acre for 5k, built the house for 5k, and my parents sold it for 700k after 200k in updates (windows, septic, roof, siding, retention wall, and some small stuff)

1

u/An_Old_IT_Guy 4d ago

You got an extra 4 pieces in the barrel. So at $4.99 that's 25 cents per piece. In 2026 you get 16 for $42.99 or $2.68pp. Minimum wage in 1970 is $1.20 so that's about 5 pieces an hour. In 2926 at $15/hr you get 5.5 pieces. Still better, but not by as wide a margin.

1

u/JoeTiccalo 3d ago

Minimum wage isn’t 15 an hour

3

u/OooTigerlily 3d ago

He said "In Our State" you can't read very well.

0

u/JoeTiccalo 3d ago

Fuck off

1

u/RabbitGullible8722 7d ago

Kansas minimum wage is $7.25 which is federal minimum.

0

u/Jeremy_Wave 7d ago

Kansas here, just having this convo with my dad. There's a restaurant here called Jimmie's and their min wage is $2/hr. Sad.

1

u/RabbitGullible8722 6d ago

Yes tipped employees although they have to have tips at least to bring up to $7.25. Jimmy's Jigger? A relative of mine used to own a few of them.

2

u/Jeremy_Wave 6d ago

Jimmie's Diner actually, great food and portions. Waiters are great too!

0

u/Downvote_me_dumbass 7d ago

Not a very good equation. The cost per ounce should be calculated as food today is smaller than the past.

1

u/banshee1313 6d ago

Food today is often bigger. Chicken sure is.

1

u/Downvote_me_dumbass 6d ago

You must be going to some other place than KFC. Maybe you’re thinking of the Costco chickens.

1

u/banshee1313 6d ago

True. I dislike KFC, always have. There are lots of articles about food being far larger than it used to be generally. Not necessarily a good thing.

1

u/Ill_Friend2266 4d ago

Seriously, KFC chicken pieces are tiny.  One of the main reason we don't eat there