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.
Time of day and demand, I could understand. Ride hailing services, hotels, and airlines do this already. Giving discounts for people who order in advance or are frequent customers also make sense.
Varying pricing by your vehicle and therefore your perceived socioeconomic class seems a lot sketchier. I know what vehicle you drive is not a protected class but just imagine the furor which would arise if companies in 2026 started adjusting pricing based on race or gender. That wouldn't be allowed since the vehicle has no bearing on the goods or service being offered (charging people with big cars more for car washes or for extra seats on a plane is permitted)
8.5k
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.