Exactly right.

Quote:

---

WinTheWholeDamnThingChipotle isn't what it used to be 10 years ago. Wildly inconsistent and the quality has noticeably gone down. When you get competent workers and the ingredients are fresh, it's still really good. But that's becoming increasingly rare. Sadly this is the evolution of most business models in this country in the constant quest to increase shareholder value. Cut corners, raise prices, while simultaneously cutting costs by switching to lower quality, and more pre-made, pre-packaged ingredients. Gut rewards programs and require more money spent for less of a reward. It's a race to the bottom and the driver is usually private equity firms.

---

And it will go down further since the CEO has openly signaled that he will raise prices and not mentioned what extra value he will give customers.

Death knell of the company. Sell the stock if you own it.

The Conservative Free-market CEO's Playbook:

1. Raise food prices - if you want our awesome food, you jolly well gotta pay more for it!
2. Reduce portion sizes and use creative packaging to fool the customer that he is getting same/more. Use frozen ingredients to save money - who can tell the difference anyway?
3. Replace store staff with H1Bs from India who will work at 10% rates and say "Yes Steve" and "Okay Olivia" also.
4. Claim to be an AI-enabled restaurant by adding chatbots and AI images on their websites.
5. Route all customer service/complaint lines to the Philippines.
5. Hire McKinsey Consulting at multi-million dollars to come in and figure out what else they can do to become more profitable. Then throw the presentation into the trash and do what he wanted to do anyway.
6. Blame customers for not appreciating good fast food and prepare to sell the company pennies to the dollar.
7. Extract a large multi-million dollar "bonus" for "consulting services" as the company gets sold to private equity.
8. Become CEO/SVP elsewhere - preferable at a place he gave a contract to as CEO.

Ag_of_08 said:

---

Chipotle has already been caught cutting portion size and cost themselves a rather large amount of profit for the backlash. Now, when revenue has already decreased, their marketing team thinks raising prices on what many consumers see as an already poor value is a recipe for growth?

Sometimes I really wonder if marketing people don't live in an alternate reality. .

---

We have smart experienced people with A&M degrees who post here who claim this is what a good CEO should be doing.

Read this thread from the top. Very illuminating.

Only one poster got the subtle nuance in how US companies do things that takes them towards doom.

Quote:

---

[Chipotle] Will Keep Raising Prices Because We Can

---

because PT Barnum was right.

infinity ag said:

---

Ag_of_08 said:

---

Chipotle has already been caught cutting portion size and cost themselves a rather large amount of profit for the backlash. Now, when revenue has already decreased, their marketing team thinks raising prices on what many consumers see as an already poor value is a recipe for growth?

Sometimes I really wonder if marketing people don't live in an alternate reality. .

---

We have smart experienced people with A&M degrees who post here who claim this is what a good CEO should be doing.

Read this thread from the top. Very illuminating.

Only one poster got the subtle nuance in how US companies do things that takes them towards doom.

---

You should read up on how Coach (purses) did it then.

Started as an "affordable" and "accessible" brand. Raised prices significantly, refocused marketing to a different demo. Sales skyrocketed without actually changing the components or production practices of the purse very much.

So yes, you can raise revenue by raising prices & targeting a different demo when you see falling revenue driven by demographic changes.

It's been done before, why do you think the CEO highlighted his avg customer's income levels? They're doing the math.

Illuminating that you think this is some kind of simple game.

Hey Nav said:

---

What's y'alls feeling about Qdoba . As good or better than Chipotle? Q seems a bit more expensive - but the internet tells me Qdoba is much cheaper if you're adding sides like queso or guac, as there is no upcharge at Qdoba for this.

---

I love Qdoba but they seem to be more in the US Western States than here in Texas.

I got hooked on them in Denver 25 years ago and it's always my last stop before I head up to my mountain property in Northern Nevada.

all of these chains go through the same cycle:

1) start out strong and gain a following
2) franchise and spread across the country
3) go public or become acquired by a public entity/PE firm
4) receive a ton of pressure to boost profits
5) cut corners, lower the food quality, raise prices, become a ****ty place to work
6) repeat step five for as long as people tolerate your slop

chipotle has been on step 6 since at least the start of this decade

Sims said:

---

People are putting Chipotle orders on buy now, pay later installment loans and you are saying the Chipotle CEO is bad?


We've rightly pointed to the involvement of infinite government money as having led to the deleterious increase in public education cost.

Now it's just Chipotles' fault they can charge more and people will pay it?

Try aiming your ire at Sezzle, Klarna, Zip etc...

---

Buy now and pay later installment loans for fast food?

Tell me you are to poor for fast food without telling me.

Psycho Bunny said:

---

Sims said:

---

People are putting Chipotle orders on buy now, pay later installment loans and you are saying the Chipotle CEO is bad?


We've rightly pointed to the involvement of infinite government money as having led to the deleterious increase in public education cost.

Now it's just Chipotles' fault they can charge more and people will pay it?

Try aiming your ire at Sezzle, Klarna, Zip etc...

---

Buy now and pay later installment loans for fast food?

Tell me you are to poor for fast food without telling me.

---

Tell me this is another Bubble waiting to pop without telling me.

Facts

Old McDonald said:

---

all of these chains go through the same cycle:

1) start out strong and gain a following
2) franchise and spread across the country
3) go public or become acquired by a public entity/PE firm
4) receive a ton of pressure to boost profits
5) cut corners, lower the food quality, raise prices, become a ****ty place to work
6) repeat step five for as long as people tolerate your slop

chipotle has been on step 6 since at least the start of this decade

---

You are really exposing your ignorance here.

Your namesake just invested a considerable amount of capital in improving their product.

Domino's went through a massive product upscaling 20 years ago and it vaulted them to the top of the pizza chain market.

Different market segmentations have different desires and expectations. and the successful businesses either focus really well on one segement or become masters of diversification. This is why the most successful brands have a menu they mixes value items with premium products.

I should add both Chick-fil-A and Buc-ee's have been instrumental game changers.

Buc-ee's doesn't make money off of gas, or prepackaged items. The lions share of their margin comes from the 10 dollar BBQ sandwiches.

Both places have relatively high price points for their food, but bend over backwards paying for and training good customer service people.

infinity ag said:

---

Ag_of_08 said:

---

Chipotle has already been caught cutting portion size and cost themselves a rather large amount of profit for the backlash. Now, when revenue has already decreased, their marketing team thinks raising prices on what many consumers see as an already poor value is a recipe for growth?

Sometimes I really wonder if marketing people don't live in an alternate reality. .

---

We have smart experienced people with A&M degrees who post here who claim this is what a good CEO should be doing.

Read this thread from the top. Very illuminating.

Only one poster got the subtle nuance in how US companies do things that takes them towards doom.

---

I love your "I'm so much smarter than all of you plebs...oh, and I make six figures a month!" act.

Logos Stick said:

---

CEO makes logical, sound business decision based on data and analysis.

Infinity demonizes the CEO, per usual, and predicts doom.

The end.

---

I'm all for it too, as long as competition is NOT artificially restricted. Competition is great for the consumers, great for the country given it keeps p[rices at market levels and technological innovation high. Monopolies and Oligopolies are a disaster. High prices, crap products, lower levels of innovation.

Morbo the Annihilator said:

---

infinity ag said:

---

Ag_of_08 said:

---

Chipotle has already been caught cutting portion size and cost themselves a rather large amount of profit for the backlash. Now, when revenue has already decreased, their marketing team thinks raising prices on what many consumers see as an already poor value is a recipe for growth?

Sometimes I really wonder if marketing people don't live in an alternate reality. .

---

We have smart experienced people with A&M degrees who post here who claim this is what a good CEO should be doing.

Read this thread from the top. Very illuminating.

Only one poster got the subtle nuance in how US companies do things that takes them towards doom.

---

I love your "I'm so much smarter than all of you plebs...oh, and I make six figures a month!" act.

---

But he does it for our own good, so that makes it not trolling.

Silent For Too Long said:

---

Old McDonald said:

---

all of these chains go through the same cycle:

1) start out strong and gain a following
2) franchise and spread across the country
3) go public or become acquired by a public entity/PE firm
4) receive a ton of pressure to boost profits
5) cut corners, lower the food quality, raise prices, become a ****ty place to work
6) repeat step five for as long as people tolerate your slop

chipotle has been on step 6 since at least the start of this decade

---

You are really exposing your ignorance here.

Your namesake just invested a considerable amount of capital in improving their product.

Domino's went through a massive product upscaling 20 years ago and it vaulted them to the top of the pizza chain market.

Different market segmentations have different desires and expectations. and the successful businesses either focus really well on one segement or become masters of diversification. This is why the most successful brands have a menu they mixes value items with premium products.

---

Even if McDonald's was trying to 'improve,' that's kinda hilarious-they're literally the poster child for how public/PE pressure ruins a brand. Upgraded nuggets and iced coffees don't hide the fact it's still a hollow shell of what it used to be.

Well, I can't remember the last time I was in a Chapotle. 20 years ago, maybe? I live about 70 miles from the closest location.

I live near Kerrville, and a Qdoba opened here a couple of years ago. I know the franchisee - she has another restaurant in town that is a full service place - currently the #1 rated restaurant in town on Tripadvisor. It is a nice restaurant with a menu that makes it very easy to eat healthy. I found it interesting that she expanded into the Qdoba world. My experience at her Qdoba has been very favorable so far.

Tree Hugger said:

---

Quote:

---

A side of guac is about to reach former burrito costs.

---

No joke there, my wife always adds guac and I think that was pushing $4 the last time we went.

As far as the Freebirds discussion, I hadn't been for quite some time (likely due to spending 5 years in Oregon) and I went to the one closest to my new house recently (around noon on a Sunday). There was only one person behind the counter when I got there and she was busy filling a to-go order. When she finished that she came to the counter, apologized and helped the family in line in front of me.

By the time it was my turn, the other employee came in from the visible back door (presumably from a smoke break) and went straight to the grill to remove the meat that was languishing there. He came to the counter to make my order after that. When I was eating my food at home my wife kept asking why I was making "disappointment face" and it was probably because the rice was mushy, the fajita meat was bland, they changed the BBQ sauce AGAIN, and I had just paid $15 for this mess. The black beans and hot sauce were OK though.

Maybe it was a bad day, maybe it was that location but I won't go back to that one for the foreseeable future.

---

Freebirds sold out like 10 years ago and their quality suffered MIGHTILY.
There was a time when I would have died on the "Freebirds is better than Chipotle" hill but those days are LONG gone.
Anyone here who still thinks FB is better than Chipotle is either trying to be a redass Ag, lying, hasn't had Chipotle in a long time, or just doesn't know what decent food tastes like.

I could probably think of another given time to chew on it but as of now, I can't recall a more pronounced drop in quality of a chain restaurant after a sale than Freebirds.

It's really sad too because they used to be legitimately great.

infinity ag said:

---

Today's news is that the CEO of Chipotle said they will keep increasing prices "just because we can". I don't have a problem with this. This is what every business should do, try to get everything what people are willing to pay for their product.

I personally do not like Chipotle as their burritos are full of rice, but my family loves them. They got a new CEO (Nov 2024) and he seems to be feeling some pressure to increase profits so the easy levers for most useless CEOs is to increase prices and lay people off. Both have long term impacts of ruining the business. The CEO won't care as he will get fired and get his parachute to find another company to trash.

My advice: If you are a Chipotle lover, get your fill, this company is going down.


(This is a UK link)
CEO of Chipotle Allegedly Caught on Recording Indicating They're Going to Keep Raising Prices 'Because They Can'
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ceo-chipotle-allegedly-caught-recording-indicating-theyre-going-keep-raising-prices-because-1777201

Leaked audio clip of Chipotle's CEO prompts intense debate over pricing policy amid ongoing menu cost pressures.

Quote:

---

A recording attributed to Scott Boatwright, chief executive of Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., has surfaced on social media, in which he discusses the company's intention to continue strategic price increases, citing customer income demographics as justification. The clip, circulated widely on platforms including X and Reddit over the past 24 hours, includes remarks that a significant proportion of Chipotle's core customer base earns more than 73,450 ($100,000) a year, giving the company 'confidence' to continue price adjustments. The recording's release has provoked intense reactions from consumers online, with numerous users criticising what they describe as corporate prioritisation of profit over affordability.

---

Enjoy the comments.

---

Ask for no rice and extra veggies.


CaboBobs ->other-> Chipotle

CaboBobs is king of the burrito places

Hey Nav said:

---

Well, I can't remember the last time I was in a Chapotle. 20 years ago, maybe? I live about 70 miles from the closest location.

I live near Kerrville, and a Qdoba opened here a couple of years ago. I know the franchisee - she has another restaurant in town that is a full service place - currently the #1 rated restaurant in town on Tripadvisor. It is a nice restaurant with a menu that makes it very easy to eat healthy. I found it interesting that she expanded into the Qdoba world. My experience at her Qdoba has been very favorable so far.

---

I have eaten at that Qdoba twice while picking my daughter up from camp. The first time they tried to charge me for a cup for water and I wasn't having that. They didn't try that BS the second time,

and I agree. It is darn good.


on a side note, there is an old Best Western motel on that same street that was probably built in the 1960s. It is the classic three sided two story motel surrounding a pool. The pool and the surrounding lawn are completely shaded by giant oak trees that were either planted right when it was built or were saved when building. It is a really cool place that we spend one night at every year.

samurai_science said:

---

CaboBobs is king of the burrito places

---

This and it isn't even close.

RED AG 98 said:

---

samurai_science said:

---

CaboBobs is king of the burrito places

---

This and it isn't even close.

---

This has not made its way to NTX yet. I'll have to check it out next time I visit Austin.

I think you are describing the Sunday House Best Western. Btw, the restaurant there is a Bella Sera Italian Restaurant. I believe they have about 4 other Hill Country locations now. I have a friend here that lived about 50+ years in Brooklyn, before retiring out here. He seems to think he knows his Italian food, and has informed me that the Veal Saltimboca is "Brooklyn worthy". Thanks for the reminder - I haven't been there in a very long time.

Boy howdy - thread derailment on my part.

WinTheWholeDamnThing said:

---

Silent For Too Long said:

---

Old McDonald said:

---

all of these chains go through the same cycle:

1) start out strong and gain a following
2) franchise and spread across the country
3) go public or become acquired by a public entity/PE firm
4) receive a ton of pressure to boost profits
5) cut corners, lower the food quality, raise prices, become a ****ty place to work
6) repeat step five for as long as people tolerate your slop

chipotle has been on step 6 since at least the start of this decade

---

You are really exposing your ignorance here.

Your namesake just invested a considerable amount of capital in improving their product.

Domino's went through a massive product upscaling 20 years ago and it vaulted them to the top of the pizza chain market.

Different market segmentations have different desires and expectations. and the successful businesses either focus really well on one segement or become masters of diversification. This is why the most successful brands have a menu they mixes value items with premium products.

---

Even if McDonald's was trying to 'improve,' that's kinda hilarious-they're literally the poster child for how public/PE pressure ruins a brand. Upgraded nuggets and iced coffees don't hide the fact it's still a hollow shell of what it used to be.

---

How is it a hollow shell of what it used to be?

The Collective said:

---

RED AG 98 said:

---

samurai_science said:

---

CaboBobs is king of the burrito places

---

This and it isn't even close.

---

This has not made its way to NTX yet. I'll have to check it out next time I visit Austin.

---

Cabo Bobs is fantastic grub. But if you're complaining about Chipotle prices, CB's is even worse.

Logos Stick said:

---

WinTheWholeDamnThing said:

---

Silent For Too Long said:

---

Old McDonald said:

---

all of these chains go through the same cycle:

1) start out strong and gain a following
2) franchise and spread across the country
3) go public or become acquired by a public entity/PE firm
4) receive a ton of pressure to boost profits
5) cut corners, lower the food quality, raise prices, become a ****ty place to work
6) repeat step five for as long as people tolerate your slop

chipotle has been on step 6 since at least the start of this decade

---

You are really exposing your ignorance here.

Your namesake just invested a considerable amount of capital in improving their product.

Domino's went through a massive product upscaling 20 years ago and it vaulted them to the top of the pizza chain market.

Different market segmentations have different desires and expectations. and the successful businesses either focus really well on one segement or become masters of diversification. This is why the most successful brands have a menu they mixes value items with premium products.

---

Even if McDonald's was trying to 'improve,' that's kinda hilarious-they're literally the poster child for how public/PE pressure ruins a brand. Upgraded nuggets and iced coffees don't hide the fact it's still a hollow shell of what it used to be.

---

How is it a hollow shell of what it used to be?

---

I mean compared to the 80s/90s. Back then it was cheap, fast, and consistent. 2000s it jumped the shark. Prices went up, portions shrank, service got less reliable, and the food got more processed. I mean it's night and day. Were you around for that era?

This is wonderful. I fully support this 100%. Raise the price until you start losing revenues and you'll find the market pricing. Capitalism is a beautiful thing!

WinTheWholeDamnThing said:

---

Logos Stick said:

---

WinTheWholeDamnThing said:

---

Silent For Too Long said:

---

Old McDonald said:

---

all of these chains go through the same cycle:

1) start out strong and gain a following
2) franchise and spread across the country
3) go public or become acquired by a public entity/PE firm
4) receive a ton of pressure to boost profits
5) cut corners, lower the food quality, raise prices, become a ****ty place to work
6) repeat step five for as long as people tolerate your slop

chipotle has been on step 6 since at least the start of this decade

---

You are really exposing your ignorance here.

Your namesake just invested a considerable amount of capital in improving their product.

Domino's went through a massive product upscaling 20 years ago and it vaulted them to the top of the pizza chain market.

Different market segmentations have different desires and expectations. and the successful businesses either focus really well on one segement or become masters of diversification. This is why the most successful brands have a menu they mixes value items with premium products.

---

Even if McDonald's was trying to 'improve,' that's kinda hilarious-they're literally the poster child for how public/PE pressure ruins a brand. Upgraded nuggets and iced coffees don't hide the fact it's still a hollow shell of what it used to be.

---

How is it a hollow shell of what it used to be?

---

I mean compared to the 80s/90s. Back then it was cheap, fast, and consistent. 2000s it jumped the shark. Prices went up, portions shrank, service got less reliable, and the food got more processed. I mean it's night and day. Were you around for that era?

---

Hmmmm..... it's still as fast and consistent as it used to be, imo. It's never been high quality food. For example, the quarter pounder I get today is no different than the one I got back in the 80s. I had one this past weekend while traveling to Houston. First one I've had in at least two years. I just don't eat at McDonald's except for breakfast sandwiches.

Nothing and no restaurant is cheap anymore, including fast food. That's not really McDonald's fault. As far as service, that's also gotten worse everywhere. I think it's a general degredation across society.

Logos Stick said:

---

WinTheWholeDamnThing said:

---

Logos Stick said:

---

WinTheWholeDamnThing said:

---

Silent For Too Long said:

---

Old McDonald said:

---

all of these chains go through the same cycle:

1) start out strong and gain a following
2) franchise and spread across the country
3) go public or become acquired by a public entity/PE firm
4) receive a ton of pressure to boost profits
5) cut corners, lower the food quality, raise prices, become a ****ty place to work
6) repeat step five for as long as people tolerate your slop

chipotle has been on step 6 since at least the start of this decade

---

You are really exposing your ignorance here.

Your namesake just invested a considerable amount of capital in improving their product.

Domino's went through a massive product upscaling 20 years ago and it vaulted them to the top of the pizza chain market.

Different market segmentations have different desires and expectations. and the successful businesses either focus really well on one segement or become masters of diversification. This is why the most successful brands have a menu they mixes value items with premium products.

---

Even if McDonald's was trying to 'improve,' that's kinda hilarious-they're literally the poster child for how public/PE pressure ruins a brand. Upgraded nuggets and iced coffees don't hide the fact it's still a hollow shell of what it used to be.

---

How is it a hollow shell of what it used to be?

---

I mean compared to the 80s/90s. Back then it was cheap, fast, and consistent. 2000s it jumped the shark. Prices went up, portions shrank, service got less reliable, and the food got more processed. I mean it's night and day. Were you around for that era?

---

Hmmmm..... it's still as fast and consistent as it used to be, imo. It's never been high quality food. For example, the quarter pounder I get today is no different than the one I got back in the 80s. I had one this past weekend while traveling to Houston. First one I've had in at least two years. I just don't eat at McDonald's except for breakfast sandwiches.

Nothing and no restaurant is cheap anymore, including fast food. That's not really McDonald's fault. As far as service, that's also gotten worse everywhere. I think it's a general degredation across society.

---

I get what you're saying, but this is where I think the shift actually happened: once everything became hyper-financialized- shareholder pressure, massive expansion, franchise cost-cutting, focus moved from experience to squeezing margins. That's when ingredient quality slid (more processing, cheaper suppliers), portions shrank, and consistency started depending on the franchise instead of a tighter standard.

Yeah, inflation and service decline hit everyone, but McDonald's leaned hard into scale and cost control, and it shows. Same basic menu, worse inputs, higher prices. That's why it feels like a hollowed-out version of what it was. They're just perhaps the biggest and first example of this, but this has affected most chains in the industry.

BrazosDog02 said:

---

This is wonderful. I fully support this 100%. Raise the price until you start losing revenues and you'll find the market pricing. Capitalism is a beautiful thing!

---

So they need to increase prices and lose customers to learn that they should've never increased prices and because of that kept their customers? Que, que?

Logos Stick said:

---

WinTheWholeDamnThing said:

---

Logos Stick said:

---

WinTheWholeDamnThing said:

---

Silent For Too Long said:

---

Old McDonald said:

---

all of these chains go through the same cycle:

1) start out strong and gain a following
2) franchise and spread across the country
3) go public or become acquired by a public entity/PE firm
4) receive a ton of pressure to boost profits
5) cut corners, lower the food quality, raise prices, become a ****ty place to work
6) repeat step five for as long as people tolerate your slop

chipotle has been on step 6 since at least the start of this decade

---

You are really exposing your ignorance here.

Your namesake just invested a considerable amount of capital in improving their product.

Domino's went through a massive product upscaling 20 years ago and it vaulted them to the top of the pizza chain market.

Different market segmentations have different desires and expectations. and the successful businesses either focus really well on one segement or become masters of diversification. This is why the most successful brands have a menu they mixes value items with premium products.

---

Even if McDonald's was trying to 'improve,' that's kinda hilarious-they're literally the poster child for how public/PE pressure ruins a brand. Upgraded nuggets and iced coffees don't hide the fact it's still a hollow shell of what it used to be.

---

How is it a hollow shell of what it used to be?

---

I mean compared to the 80s/90s. Back then it was cheap, fast, and consistent. 2000s it jumped the shark. Prices went up, portions shrank, service got less reliable, and the food got more processed. I mean it's night and day. Were you around for that era?

---

Hmmmm..... it's still as fast and consistent as it used to be, imo. It's never been high quality food. For example, the quarter pounder I get today is no different than the one I got back in the 80s. I had one this past weekend while traveling to Houston. First one I've had in at least two years. I just don't eat at McDonald's except for breakfast sandwiches.

Nothing and no restaurant is cheap anymore, including fast food. That's not really McDonald's fault. As far as service, that's also gotten worse everywhere. I think it's a general degredation across society.

---

Honestly if you use the app, McDonald's is still fairly cheap.

Hank the Grifter said:

---

Tree Hugger said:

---

Quote:

---

A side of guac is about to reach former burrito costs.

---

No joke there, my wife always adds guac and I think that was pushing $4 the last time we went.

As far as the Freebirds discussion, I hadn't been for quite some time (likely due to spending 5 years in Oregon) and I went to the one closest to my new house recently (around noon on a Sunday). There was only one person behind the counter when I got there and she was busy filling a to-go order. When she finished that she came to the counter, apologized and helped the family in line in front of me.

By the time it was my turn, the other employee came in from the visible back door (presumably from a smoke break) and went straight to the grill to remove the meat that was languishing there. He came to the counter to make my order after that. When I was eating my food at home my wife kept asking why I was making "disappointment face" and it was probably because the rice was mushy, the fajita meat was bland, they changed the BBQ sauce AGAIN, and I had just paid $15 for this mess. The black beans and hot sauce were OK though.

Maybe it was a bad day, maybe it was that location but I won't go back to that one for the foreseeable future.

---

Freebirds sold out like 10 years ago and their quality suffered MIGHTILY.
There was a time when I would have died on the "Freebirds is better than Chipotle" hill but those days are LONG gone.
Anyone here who still thinks FB is better than Chipotle is either trying to be a redass Ag, lying, hasn't had Chipotle in a long time, or just doesn't know what decent food tastes like.

I could probably think of another given time to chew on it but as of now, I can't recall a more pronounced drop in quality of a chain restaurant after a sale than Freebirds.

It's really sad too because they used to be legitimately great.

---

This. And I think its been quite a bit longer than 10 years ago.

But man...early 2000s Freebirds was effing awesome.

McDonald's uses higher quality items right now for beef, chicken and shakes then they have since the 70s.

Your perception simply doesn't match reality.

lol ok. i'm not just whining about nostalgia here. Yeah they supposedly use real beef and white meat chicken now, but it still just doesn't feel like the 80s/90s. Prices are way up, portions smaller (RIP supersize), and the food is way more processed, doesn't taste as fresh, and just isn't the same.

On paper maybe it's "higher quality," but in reality? More expensive, less satisfying, and honestly just… hollow. But hey, maybe my taste buds are stuck in the past, what do i know.