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Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(130,849 posts)
Wed Nov 5, 2025, 07:40 PM Nov 5

McDonald's is struggling to hold on to its low-income customers

Lower-income customers aren’t finding much value in the menu at McDonald’s these days.

Traffic within the cohort dropped “nearly double digits” in its latest quarter, chief executive Christopher Kempczinski told investors in an earnings call Wednesday, a trend across the industry. These customers are disproportionately feeling the strain of mounting economic pressures, including higher prices on groceries and apparel as well as the growing cost of rent and child care, he said.

-snip-

Meanwhile, traffic among higher-income customers continues to grow across the sector, increasing “nearly double digits” in the quarter, he said. The chain’s same-store sales grew 2.4 percent in the United States over last year, a slight decline from the last quarter’s 2.5 percent, and increased 3.6 percent globally. Overall sales hit $36 billion, an 8 percent growth year-over-year. Its stock price was up 2 percent midday Wednesday.

-snip-

Chipotle chief executive Scott Boatwright told investors last week that “the gap has widened” among its customers, with those in households earning below $100,000 - which represents about 40 percent of the chain’s total sales - eating at the fast-food restaurant less frequently.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mcdonald-struggling-hold-low-income-165558256.html

I find if I don't have time to cook it's cheaper to pick up something at my local grocer's deli than a fast food restaurant.

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
McDonald's is struggling to hold on to its low-income customers (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Nov 5 OP
DUH........... Lovie777 Nov 5 #1
Who has the money for a mediocre meal? Ritabert Nov 5 #2
mcd adopted a deliberate strategy of jacking up prices, to sell less but at a higher profit margin. unblock Nov 5 #3
With fewer workers. multigraincracker Nov 5 #11
Haven't been to McDonald's forever. gab13by13 Nov 5 #4
Rich people don't eat there Alice Kramden Nov 5 #5
How does McDonalds know the income of their customers? flvegan Nov 5 #6
Market research, surveys, behavior and location. Irish_Dem Nov 5 #9
Everything about ForgedCrank Nov 5 #14
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Nov 5 #7
point to an item on the menu that doubled in price stopdiggin Nov 5 #10
The one near us is printing money. Always a line. underpants Nov 5 #8
Invented in Santa Barbara. hunter Nov 5 #12
The price ForgedCrank Nov 5 #13

unblock

(55,777 posts)
3. mcd adopted a deliberate strategy of jacking up prices, to sell less but at a higher profit margin.
Wed Nov 5, 2025, 07:51 PM
Nov 5

when you do that, you lose customers, like, who coulda seen that coming?

morans.

gab13by13

(30,624 posts)
4. Haven't been to McDonald's forever.
Wed Nov 5, 2025, 07:54 PM
Nov 5

I shop at a local meat market, it’s a bit pricey, but I don’t want a bargain for food.

They have tasty, lean, ground round, that I bet can make quarter pounders cheaper.

flvegan

(65,476 posts)
6. How does McDonalds know the income of their customers?
Wed Nov 5, 2025, 08:03 PM
Nov 5

Was there a survey? Is it by zip code/location/neighborhood?

Irish_Dem

(77,782 posts)
9. Market research, surveys, behavior and location.
Wed Nov 5, 2025, 08:30 PM
Nov 5

Companies make it a priority to determine who their customers are.
And who brings in the most money.
The companies can target advertising and products to their money making groups.

ForgedCrank

(2,973 posts)
14. Everything about
Wed Nov 5, 2025, 09:24 PM
Nov 5

you is sold to companies that compile this data. Your credit card co and bank know you, your age, your spending habits... ALL of it is worth money to marketing gurus.It's everywhere. Even state motor vehicle registration info is sold to them by the state. So yea, it's easy for them (just not cheap) to track it all unless you make no online accounts, pay only in cash, and ditch your subscribed cell phone. Even your browser cookies are selling you out.

Response to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

stopdiggin

(14,693 posts)
10. point to an item on the menu that doubled in price
Wed Nov 5, 2025, 08:51 PM
Nov 5

in time frame designated. This kind of claim (which can easily be taken as anti-worker, anti-minimum) - surely needs solid corroboration. Thanks.

underpants

(193,864 posts)
8. The one near us is printing money. Always a line.
Wed Nov 5, 2025, 08:11 PM
Nov 5

I’m sorry but Egg McMuffins are the single greatest food product ever. It’s eggs Benedict without the Hollandaise sauce. They are a big hit with the outdoor crowd. 2-3 in a backpack are all the nutrients you need.

hunter

(40,170 posts)
12. Invented in Santa Barbara.
Wed Nov 5, 2025, 09:15 PM
Nov 5
https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-stories/article/egg-mcmuffin-history.html

The first time I kissed a girl was in Santa Barbara and we had Egg McMuffins for Breakfast too. We were on the road for a botany class.

I was such an innocent creature then.

McDonalds has decided lower income people are irrelevant to their profits.

ForgedCrank

(2,973 posts)
13. The price
Wed Nov 5, 2025, 09:18 PM
Nov 5

of the meals at fast food joints has tripled in the past 5-6 years. It's no wonder this is happening.
The up side is that the less people can afford that garbage, the healthier they will be

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