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Your Big Mac might cost more if McDonald's AI thinks people nearby can afford it

38 points · 51 comments · bundie

  1. SoftTalker · · focus · HN ↗
    The answer to this one is simple: Don't eat at McDonald's. The food is garbage, the service is awful, and the prices are insane.
    1. dorkwood · · focus · HN ↗

      [dead]

    2. cyanydeez · · focus · HN ↗
      That didnt work against walmart. Fast food might be more resilient but once the AI lube and economic chaos commences, itll just be a brand behind a pinkslime wholesaler.
      1. hn_throwaway_99 · · focus · HN ↗
        What does Walmart have to do with it? Walmart sells products that people need at affordable prices. For McDonald's (and a lot of fast food generally these days) the prices have gone up so much that the value isn't there anymore. Sure, McDonald's food was never healthy and it wasn't exactly haute cuisine, but it was convenient and a guilty pleasure for lots. Now it's cheaper, healthier and hardly much more time consuming to make better food at home. Plus, the indoor dining experience is virtually dead at any fast food restaurant I've been to since Covid - it's nearly all drive through and takeout now. Nearly all the value prop for most fast food is gone or going away.
        1. bryanlarsen · · focus · HN ↗
          At my local McD I can get a McDouble, small fries and small coke for USD3.50 (CAD5). It is of course possible to cook at home for less than that, but it's not easy nor convenient, especially if you want your meal to include meat.
          1. hn_throwaway_99 · · focus · HN ↗
            Those prices are very good and in fact lower than any McDonald's I've seen in the US. I just checked the price of a McDouble at my nearest McDonald's and the sandwich alone (no fries or drink) is $4.50.
        2. palmotea · · focus · HN ↗
          > What does Walmart have to do with it? Walmart sells products that people need at affordable prices.

          Walmart's products are "...garbage, the service is awful, and the prices are..." at least higher than they used to be.

          > For McDonald's (and a lot of fast food generally these days) the prices have gone up so much that the value isn't there anymore.

          You might have a point on prices with the Walmart vs. McDonalds comparison, but only prices. The first two complaints about McDonalds didn't do anything against Walmart.

          > Now it's cheaper, healthier and hardly much more time consuming to make better food at home.

          Making food at home is always a lot more time consuming, especially when you factor in cleanup. Also it requires significantly more planning.

    3. aaron695 · · focus · HN ↗

      [dead]

    4. Freedom2 · · focus · HN ↗
      I live in the mid-west and while I agree with you, unfortunately, McDonald's is the only realistically good option here. Every other restaurant or food chain has either shut down or is full of unsafe and unsanitary conditions.
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