(CNBC) McDonald’s reports largest U.S. same-store sales decline since 2020

[Chomsky]

I didn't figure you as the type to not like snot nosed kids screaming and running around while possibly catching the plague from the playground but you learn something new every day.

I raised enough of my own to not want to deal with anyone else's!

And yeah, those little screaming running kids are walking biohazard!

 

[Chomsky]

I can imagine your red shirt and hope you get pinched to near-death for your nefarious effort come March 17th, 2026.

MAGA.

You understand the significance? Right?

Green is traditionally worn by the Irish on St Paddy's (MAR 17th), while Red is traditionally worn by Italians on St Joseph's Day (MAR 19th).

So in my city, the Italians additionally wear Red on St Paddy's to mess with the Irish.

For some reason not as many Irish seem to wear Green on St Joe's. But then, they're always wearing some Green - so it's hard to tell.

 

[L88]

Sadly, I don't see that happening.



Not to be disagreeable, but I disagree. I don't see "cleaning" in general, Roombas notwithstanding, to be an easily automated task.



You got that right. No argument there. And in spades for agri-business.

The reason I mention janitors being replace by robots is my last project before I retired was investigating their effectiveness. And if there was an actual savings.

 

[Chomsky]

You’ll find that with many chain operations. The ones who are hands on types have well trained, friendly, employees, clean, organized stores, etc.. Customers like that and they become loyal to that store. On the other hand, nothing can be more of a turn off than walking into a dirty store with sullen, unfriendly staff. In a fast food store it makes you wonder about the ones doing the cooking. We live about equidistant from two dollar stores and the difference between the two is obvious.

You are 100% in this.

I've had the poor circumstance to have frequented some really disgusting & depressing chain fast-food operations.

It's shocking that they're part of a chain.

 

[Chomsky]

The reason I mention janitors being replace by robots is my last project before I retired was investigating their effectiveness. And if there was an actual savings.

Interesting.

I could see robots doing certain aspects of janitorial tasks, like perhaps cleaning floors.

But in many aspects I think janitorial work might be too varied, and requiring judgement and reaction, to be easily automated cost effectively.

Now I will say much of any new manufacturing facilities built Stateside will be highly automated. They will need to be, in order to be economically feasible - tariffs or no tariffs. I don't really see the huge employment bounty predicted, past the initial construction and furnishment.

 

[Chomsky]

Honestly it is that last part, of the higher income earners buying more that should scare peeps.

Yeah, that's why I pointed it out.

It's just a theory, though.

 

[Simon W. Moon]

Fair point.

may or may not be connected

but seems like consumer confidence and discretionary spending could be related in one way or another

 

[Chomsky]

may or may not be connected

but seems like consumer confidence and discretionary spending could be related in one way or another

It's really a complex fascinating subject.

I only had room to take two ECON undergrad classes (Micro & Macro) as electives to my non-business major. It breaks my heart I never got to the third class in the ECON sequence, "Money & Banking". It was taught by one of the local District Fed Governors, and would have been an awesome class.

 

[ModernDiogenes]

(CNBC) McDonald’s reports largest U.S. same-store sales decline since 2020
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Another negative economic report, with data rivaling that of the Pandemic levels.

It appears same-store McDonalds' sales declined among lower-income customers earlier in the quarter, expanding to middle-income customers declining later in the quarter, indicating the economic slowdown is broadening.

From the article it seems McDonalds is an economic canary of sorts for America's lower & mid-income demographics.

Unfortunately, these are the demographics that are also expected to be hit the hardest with Trump's tariffs.

Given that the higher-income demographic purchases actually increased (but not enough to offset the mid & lower losses), I might argue higher-income consumers may also shifting their spending patterns - going from more expensive dining options to McDonalds.

I’m a part of this. I know I’ve changed my eating habits. I won’t pay the prices they are currently charging at our non-chain local restaurants (I stopped eating at the chains even before this). I feel bad for them as I know these place aren’t gouging. I just can’t see paying $35 w/tip for a meatloaf or grilled chicken diner. $27 or so for a chef’s or tuna salad platter. That’s just nuts.

Same with the local fast food. They aren’t charging national averages around here. It’s significantly higher. Example: A quarter pounder w/cheese is two bucks higher than national average and the medium meal is just over $3 higher.

Sorry but. “Screw that.” If I feel gouged I won’t pay it even if I can afford it.

My wife and I ordered in or ate out a lot. Not any longer.

 

[Taylor]

Sounds like they were testing how high they could raise prices and are finally seeing some pushback.

 

[The AntiDonald]

I got a Big Mac the other day. It was fine. About the same.

Sure, if you don't mind paying $11-12 bucks for a shitty fast-food meal.

 

[TamleeB]

McDonald's has gone from bad to terrible in product and service. The restaurants in our area haven't been busy for the past year.

The same in our area. Steadily gone downhill for several years.

 

[Chomsky]

I’m a part of this. I know I’ve changed my eating habits. I won’t pay the prices they are currently charging at our non-chain local restaurants (I stopped eating at the chains even before this). I feel bad for them as I know these place aren’t gouging. I just can’t see paying $35 w/tip for a meatloaf or grilled chicken diner. $27 or so for a chef’s or tuna salad platter. That’s just nuts.

Same with the local fast food. They aren’t charging national averages around here. It’s significantly higher. Example: A quarter pounder w/cheese is two bucks higher than national average and the medium meal is just over $3 higher.

Sorry but. “Screw that.” If I feel gouged I won’t pay it even if I can afford it.

My wife and I ordered in or ate out a lot. Not any longer.

From your descriptor, it appears you may be paying "Northeast" prices. But then again, you are (hopefully) enjoying "Northeast" "quality of life".

I too live in an area a bit over the national average, but I wouldn't trade my quality of life for anything!

But that being said, if you are an an urban or metro suburban area, you may have some great deli-type options, particularly ethnic delis. I pick-up all kinds of by-the-pound Italian, Asian, and Polish stuff from the small ethnic delis near me.

Great food at great prices, no muss no fuss, just refrigerate, microwave, and you're good!

 

[Chomsky]

Sure, if you don't mind paying $11-12 bucks for a shitty fast-food meal.

Or skip the overpriced sides & drinks, and just get the Big Mac itself. They're $5.69 at my local franchise, and I occasionally grab one. Just the Big Mac, and the 20 cent bottle of water I buy in bulk for the house - and often have with me when driving.

 

[ModernDiogenes]

From your descriptor, it appears you may be paying "Northeast" prices. But then again, you are (hopefully) enjoying "Northeast" "quality of life".

I too live in an area a bit over the national average, but I wouldn't trade my quality of life for anything!

But that being said, if you are an an urban or metro suburban area, you may have some great deli-type options, particularly ethnic delis. I pick-up all kinds of by-the-pound Italian, Asian, and Polish stuff from the small ethnic delis near me.

Great food at great prices, no muss no fuss, just refrigerate, microwave, and you're good!

Use to. When I lived where I worked I was in the NYC metro area. Great deli everywhere and ethnic food. When I retired we moved.

My part of NJ (Delaware Water Gap) was rural and becoming suburban. Far less the case out here. I mean way less so.

 

[Chomsky]

Use to. When I lived where I worked I was in the NYC metro area. Great deli everywhere and ethnic food. When I retired we moved.

My part of NJ (Delaware Water Gap) was rural and becoming suburban. Far less the case out here. I mean way less so.

I'm in a major metro area just outside the city proper, and absolutely love it. But, I do occasionally fantasize about going rural or the far-out exurbs.

But as much as I play with the idea, I think deep in my heart I know I'll never do it. Firstly, I hate well water! But mostly, I'm just too used to having "the world & it's convenience" at my fingertips 24/7.

Also, I'm just too dayem people-centric & interactive. I love being out & about and mixing it up. But that being said, at night I need solace & a quiet place to rest my head.

Like Neil Young wrote in "On The Beach",

"I need a crowd of people. But, I can't face them day to day"

When Neil wrote that, he expressed my very soul!

In a perfect world, I'd stay exactly where I'm at and buyout all my neighbors for acres around, put up a fence, raise their former houses, and plant natural foliage. I'd have my oasis in the city.

Yeah. Like that's going to happen!

 

[Helix]

Sure, if you don't mind paying $11-12 bucks for a shitty fast-food meal.

Then don't.

 

[CaughtInThe]

 

[The AntiDonald]

Then don't.

I haven't stopped at a McDonalds since halfway through Covid. I tried a Whopper meal about 1.5 years ago and that was $13 at the time. Never went back there either.

 

[Helix]

I haven't stopped at a McDonalds since halfway through Covid. I tried a Whopper meal about 1.5 years ago and that was $13 at the time. Never went back there either.

I haven't had a whopper since I was a vegetarian. It was an impossible whopper. Don't remember the price.

 

[gman]

I haven't stopped at a McDonalds since halfway through Covid. I tried a Whopper meal about 1.5 years ago and that was $13 at the time. Never went back there either.

My whole meal of grilled cheeseburger, bun, sautéed onions dill pickle slices, ketchup, mayonnaise, sliced tomato, leftover beans, Amish potato salad and ginger ale didn’t cost that much. (Burp)

 

[Allan]

Or skip the overpriced sides & drinks, and just get the Big Mac itself. They're $5.69 at my local franchise, and I occasionally grab one. Just the Big Mac, and the 20 cent bottle of water I buy in bulk for the house - and often have with me when driving.

Big Macs in my neck of the woods are $6.75 CDN. That translates to $4.87 USD.

I like 'em.

 

[Josie]

The Whopper is superior to the Big Mac. It came first and it still reigns as king. Pun intended.

 

[The AntiDonald]

I haven't had a whopper since I was a vegetarian. It was an impossible whopper. Don't remember the price.

When was the last time you ate at Popeyes?


A 2-piece chicken combo at Popeyes costs $13.19, which includes two pieces of chicken, a side, a buttermilk biscuit, and a drink.

This for the cheapest protein in America. I used to love Popeyes. It's out of the ballpark anymore.

 

[Fearandloathing]

Do you ever have anything to add to discussion? Or do you just exist to defend a narrative?

Do you?

If you have made a positive contribution I missed it.