Prices of everything seem to be going up a lot nowadays, as household names that used to be a cheap alternative when ordering in have started to get really pricey.
The US hasn’t been immune to the cost of living crisis, with inflation reaching insane levels, causing prices of things like food and energy to shoot up.
Up to now though, there has been one old reliable option that we’ve been able to fall back on – a cheap meal at McDonald’s.
Unfortunately though, the glass has shattered after this TikToker exposed the franchise with his viral clip.
Content creator Christopher Olive is an aspiring strongman, and in 2022 he presented his freshly bought fast food meal from the iconic golden arches.
It consisted of a Smoky Double Quarter Pounder BLT burger with a large fries and Sprite – pretty standard order at first glance.
So, how much do you think that amounted to?
Yeah, it’s more than a Happy Meal, and just a few years ago, you’d expect the meal to cost around $10, if not less.
But Christopher’s jaw was on the floor when he was given the receipt for his order.
Christopher couldn’t believe the numbers he was seeing. (TikTok/@topherolive)
Looking down at the bill, he saw that he was charged a shocking $16.10 for his simple meal.
In the clip, he says: “So I get there’s a labour shortage, I get there’s wage increases and a number of other things but… sixteen dollars?
“Sixteen dollars for a burger, a large fries and a drink. It’s just crazy.”
Alongside nearly 180,000 views at the time of writing, the video has received thousands of comments from the online community, and it appears people are pretty divided.
On the one hand, $16 seems like a maddening price to pay for a burger meal. But on the other, every aspect of the supply chain has been hit with skyrocketing costs.
Taking to the comments section, one person wrote: “Five Guys prices at McDonald’s?!?” To which Christopher replied: “It’s crazy.”
Another said: “It’s officially not convenient or affordable anymore, might as well go to the store and buy hamburger meat.”
Even during the cost of living crisis, $16 is steep. (TikTok/@topherolive)
“I make a lot more of my own food these days because of stuff like this,” added a third, with the TikToker replying: “Exactly. I eat 90 percent from food I cook and this really shocked me.”
But not everyone agrees, with some suggesting he opted for the most expensive item on the menu.
“Bro ordered the most expensive meal they have and acted surprised,” wrote one, while another said: “Because you got DOUBLE DELUXE BACON quarter pounder, literally the most expensive option on the entire menu.”
And then there were those who suggested ways for McDonald’s lovers to save money, including this person who explained: “Download the app. You can literally eat McDonald’s for under $6 every time.”
A second chimed in: “Use the McDonald’s app, sometimes they have a 50% off and other offers.”
Food is getting pretty expensive isn’t it? Takeaway favorites that use to be a cheap time are unfortunately pretty expensive these days.
The cost of living in the US has jumped significantly over the last year, with rising inflation causing energy and food prices to skyrocket.
But one thing Americans thought they could depend on was a cheap meal at McDonald’s.
In a video uploaded last year, the aspiring strongman presented his freshly bought Mackey D’s, consisting of a Smoky Double Quarter Pounder BLT burger with a large fries and Sprite.
Now, what would you say is a reasonable price for this?
Sure, it’s definitely more than a Happy Meal.
But even a couple of years back you’d expect just one meal to cost no more than $10, if not less.
TikTok/@topherolive
It’s for this reason Christopher was shocked to look down at his bill, only to realize he’d been charged $16.10.
In the clip, he says: “So I get there’s a labour shortage, I get there’s wage increases and a number of other things but… sixteen dollars?
“Sixteen dollars for a burger, a large fries and a drink. It’s just crazy.”
Alongside nearly 180,000 views at the time of writing, the video has received thousands of comments from the online community, and it appears people are pretty divided.
On the one hand, $16 seems like a maddening price to pay for a burger meal. But on the other, every aspect of the supply chain has been hit with skyrocketing costs.
Taking to the comments section, one person wrote: “Five Guys prices at McDonald’s?!?” To which Christopher replied: “It’s crazy.”
Another said: “It’s officially not convenient or affordable anymore, might as well go to the store and buy hamburger meat.”
TikToker Christopher Olive was shocked by the hefty bill.
“I make a lot more of my own food these days because of stuff like this,” added a third, with the TikToker replying: “Exactly. I eat 90 percent from food I cook and this really shocked me.”
But not everyone agrees, with some suggesting he opted for the most expensive item on the menu.
“Bro ordered the most expensive meal they have and acted surprised,” wrote one, while another said: “Because you got DOUBLE DELUXE BACON quarter pounder, literally the most expensive option on the entire menu.”
And then there were those who suggested ways for McDonald’s lovers to save money, including this person who explained: “Download the app. You can literally eat McDonald’s for under $6 every time.”
A second chimed in: “Use the McDonald’s app, sometimes they have a 50% off and other offers.”
McDonald’s employee explains why they’re not allowed to give out extra sauce pots
A former McDonald’s worker has lifted the lid on why employees don’t always freely hand out extra sauces
An ex McDonald’s employee has revealed why they can’t always chuck you a couple of extra sauces if you forget to add them to your order.
Look, I can’t say that I’ve not had a few cheeky extra sauces included in my personal version of a happy meal – cheeseburger, mayo chicken, 20 nuggets and McFlurry – every now and then.
However, there are certainly times where I and many others have been denied the privilege of extra sauce and a former McDonald’s employee has explained the reason why.
On Q&A answer site Quora, Ivan Josiah Lapis – who worked for McDonald’s for two years as a grill master – lifted the lid on why you may get turned away if you ask for extra sauce after purchasing your meal.
And his answer has been upvoted by other users who also worked at the fast food restaurant, which points to his answer being a solid piece of knowledge recognised by multiple employees.
So, why are McDonald’s employees warned against handing out sauces willy nilly?
Well, Lapis explained: “We’re not told not to give out ‘too much sauce’ but instead we are told that each specific purchase has a defined sauce packet given for free.”
Scott Olson/Getty Images
He continued: “For example, getting a four or six-pack nugget you are allocated one free sauce packet. However, at our own discretion, we can give an extra free packet if they got a six-pack nugget.
“If you got a 10 pack nugget, you are provided two for free automatically and another for free at our discretion, if the customer asks. If you got a 20 pack, you get three, and another extra at our own discretion.”
He went on to explain this strategy was employed as a way to cut costs.
“For every 20 or so packets we save, we don’t have to order another box of them. So, we have more on hand longer and less risk of running out,” the user continued.
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
He also went on to note that the fast-food restaurant charges for packets to prevent the system being abused by greedy or cheeky customers.
“The main reason we charged for extra packets is to prevent abuse. It’s fair to assume that two packets of sauce is enough for a six-pack nugget, right? If you need more than that, then what the heck are you doing with the nuggets?” he added.
“So, as cost control, we charge for extra to prevent abuse. But, realistically we really don’t mind giving extra if it makes you happy, just that the price of an item isn’t just accounting for the ingredients and materials.”
Well, let’s just keep praying to the nugget gods that the next time we order a maccies they answer our saucy prayers.
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