BUSINESS + ECONOMY

Many Americans choosing fast food over grocery shopping

May 16, 2023, 4:00 PM

Dave Noriega and Debbie Dujanovic spoke with NewsNation Miami Correspondent Brooke Shafer about her research into fast food sales continuing to hit new highs. (Photographer: Callaghan O'Hare/Bloomberg)via Getty Images

(Photographer: Callaghan O'Hare/Bloomberg)

BY WAVERLY GOLDEN

KSLNewsRadio

SALT LAKE CITY — Many fast food chains are doing better than expected despite inflation reports NewsNation, and this success is raising the cost of Americans’ favorite fast-food meals.

KSL NewsRadio hosts Dave Noriega and Debbie Dujanovic spoke with NewsNation Miami Correspondent Brooke Shafer about her research into fast food sales.

Better now than pre-COVID-19

Shafer said she recently spoke to the owner of nine Mcdonald’s locations across South Flordia, and he said they’re doing better now than pre-covid.

“He gave us an example of their drive-thru. He said that their drive-thru used to be about 60-65% of their sales before covid, now it’s 75%,” Shafer said.

Something relatively new at fast-food restaurants is the “family bundle.” Are these contributing to Americans spending more at fast-food restaurants?

“You know we talked to a customer yesterday at McDonald’s,” Shafer said. “He says he goes a few times a week because it’s fast and simple but also because it’s cheap and reliable.

“And when you’re seeing the cost of groceries go up, I think maybe some families, like you said, are turning to those combo deal options.”

She goes on to say that the combo deal options give parents a quick way to get food on the table with little effort.

Shafer highlights that because of inflation, the operation of fast food chains is also increasing. And so is hourly pay.

“Fast food workers in some places are making more now than they ever have been,” she said.

It’s more convenient to eat out than at home

Convenience is a driving factor in rising sales. During the pandemic, curbside pickup and delivery options became increasingly popular, and stay popular today.

“That convenience of being able to just go through the drive-thru seems to be reflected in the numbers we’re seeing,” she adds.

But is it affordable?

Buying food at the grocery store is more affordable than buying fast food on the regular, Dave said. It’s a fraction of the price to feed his family at the grocery store.

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