More to Fast-Food Woes than You Think

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McDonald's and other fast-food chains offer a tell that I think is in the best interest of voters to think about. Yes. I am equating voters with fast food and putting the fast-food dilemma into some perspective that I think matters and should be paid attention to, because I have also said these things before, and I think they bear repeating. Beware when the Democrats blame inflation on price gouging and greedy businesses, because it's not true first of all, and it's them simply trying to pass the buck. Inflation is not a result of greedy business or price gouging. It is almost always a direct result of economic policy and monetary policy. These are the factors that caused inflation. I bring this up as fast-food chains, perhaps some of the hardest hit by consumer pullbacks due to higher prices, are caught between a rock and a hard place. They are dealing with demand for higher wages and dealing with the costs of inflation just like the rest of us. But, they cannot force us to eat in their restaurants and therefore they cannot charge whatever they want. As prices have inched higher, consumers have said no, and one after the other in the fast-food business is missing earnings expectations, seeing their stocks pull back, and seeing investors encourage more value to keep customers coming back. The bottom line is that it doesn't matter what the item is you are selling, there is going to come a time when the price is going to be too high, regardless of the reason, and consumers are going to change what they do. Therefore, there is no benefit to intentionally screwing over your customers, and no business has done it. It's a lie. Now these businesses are scrambling to come up with ways to lower prices and offer more value. And guess what that costs? Money. In fact, for every one of these value meals they are now coming out with, they are losing money on every single one they sell. Their hope is you add a higher margin item to your order to help make up the difference. But the bottom line is no one caused inflation but the people in charge of our government, and you need to take that information to the bank with you when you go to the polls in November. Bon Apetit!