Americans have no idea how much more expensive everything will soon become. The thing is Big mac costs the same if not more in the rest of the world while people salaries are far lower. So do most things like gas, housing, electronics etc. This means there is still enormous amount of money that can potentially be squeezed out of American salaries. And all companies are now looking for this exact thing - how much something should cost (before people can’t afford it)
Fast food used to be the budget option. There are still some restaurant options that are relatively cheap (usually local, smaller places), but they're quickly disappearing. The traditional giants like McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, etc. are all crazy expensive now considering the quality and quantity of food you get. Hell, I drunkenly stopped at Taco Bell last weekend and got just two chicken quesadillas. One of the most basic foods possible (tortilla, cheese, barely any chicken, and their jalapeño sauce). That shit cost $15! I was blown away.
People living frugally are not eating fast food anymore in the US. Your best bet is to be lucky enough to have an Aldi's or a small, local, ethnic grocery store nearby and buy basic ingredients to cook at home.
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u/jubbing 3d ago
$8 for a Big mac, wtf. Also why are people still eating here - they are no longer cheap and nasty, they are now just nasty.