Analysis reveals how inflation is affecting fast food prices
If there’s one way to piss off Americans, it’s to mess with their fast food. So, policymakers may soon face the public’s wrath, because the record-breaking inflation we’ve recently experienced is taking its toll everywhere from Wendy’s to Chick-fil-A.
According to a new analysis from Pricelisto.com, fast food prices have risen 12.9% from September 2021 to December 2022. That’s even higher than the overall inflation rate, meaning fast food prices have risen especially fast compared to most other goods.
The result?
At Wendy’s, prices have risen a whopping 35%, Pricelisto.com says. Meanwhile, Chick-fil-A prices have gone up 15.6% according to their analysis, and Taco Bell has seen a 14.6% increase in prices. Burger King has fared better, with just a 2% increase, while McDonald’s prices have actually fallen 5% over the same period.
Particularly foods that have gotten more expensive include Burger King’s waffle chicken fries and Chick-fil-A’s grilled chicken sandwich.
This has broader ramifications than just where to get your next drive-through fix. It’s an unfortunate reminder that inflation most negatively affects those at the bottom of the economic food chain. After all, low income and working class people spend more of their income, and, in particular, spend more of it on cheap options like fast food.
So, when prices rise due to failed government policies, those who can least afford it are the ones hardest hit.
Don’t forget why we’re in this mess. Ultimately, the current inflation is rooted in part in the federal government’s policy choices. (Don’t fall for the fake scaremongering about how its supposedly happening due to corporate greed. Economists reject that absurd notion out of hand).
But, first under President Trump but then once again under President Biden, the feds spent trillions of dollars we didn’t have and printed them out of thin air to pay for it. That caused a good chunk of the inflation we’re now suffering through.
Don’t forget that when you get sticker shock during your next Chick-fil-A binge.
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