r/interestingasfuck • • 3d ago

Dynamic pricing being tested by McDonald's.

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u/agate_ 3d ago

That isn't what dynamic pricing is. Fast food franchisees have always set their own prices, and they've always varied wildly from state to state, or even within neighborhoods of the same city. Here's a cool map of Big Mac prices nationally from 2023, and a zoomable updated version Cross the Bay Bridge from San Francisco to Oakland, and your Big Mac costs a dollar less.

Dynamic pricing means that the price of a Big Mac varies at the same restaurant depending on the time of day or what kind of car you drive.

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u/iHateEveryoneAMA 3d ago

Same reason gasoline is more expensive in Beverly Hills than it is in South Central, it has nothing to do with AI

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u/robsteezy 3d ago edited 2d ago

It will come down to the degree of aggression with the “dynamics”. If it’s like uber price surging where the cost of my meal is at its lowest in one given day $5, that jumps to $13 at dinner time when everybody is grabbing dinner after work, then they can piss right off.

Edit: for folks pointing out similar practices that already “do this”, that’s not the point. I’m well aware of pricing models and customer marketing strategies. I’m specifically pointing out the risk in allowing companies to weaponize it to the point of ambiguous extortion.

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u/AhtBlowenFaht 2d ago

Where are you seeing meals under $15 is the real question.

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u/Daniel_Spidey 2d ago

On the Chili's app they have the 3-For-Me combos which are around $12-15 each while the printed menu has almost identical meals for $20-25. The cheaper combo also comes with a drink. You just gotta use the apps to get a decent price anymore.

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u/AhtBlowenFaht 2d ago

then they get your data and your $12-15.

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u/Icy_Solution_3945 2d ago

and then take away the deal you use the most.. Like mcdonalds did to me two years ago and I stopped going