I ate at McDonald's for the first time in a few years. The same meal I used to get on the go now costs over 100% more since before 2020. The only reason I went to McDonald's was because it was cheap, not because it was good. I don't think I'll ever go again.
It costs more than a sit down meal! My wife got Carl's Junior a couple days ago and it was $22! So if I had got a meal it would have been $44. For fucking Carl's Junior? Are you kidding me? Get the fuck outta here!
I was traveling for several years and when I visited the states again I thought it would be fun to go through a Wendy's. I was charged 4.50 for a plain hamburger, and I was shocked and assumed she entered the order wrong, and asked the fast food worker why the price was so high and if it was that high all the time.
She was so bummed out and told me she couldn't even eat fast food except for the fries she got on her shift because the prices were so crazy now. That's about the last time I stopped by any fast food places in the states.
I've been traveling again and I'm in Taiwan right now, a stacked buffet plate is about 4 bucks and the vegetarian pay by the plate place I'm at now are 2 bucks a full plate.
I understand what you mean, however it would be a better data to compare fast food prices for the same country. Its normal that the prices in the US dont match yours. Its not the exact same economy… how was fast food in taiwan before vs now? That is more interesting information
My anecdote is about prices in a single country skyrocketing, I think you only find that particular country's data less interesting because it's a country you're familiar with.
I do have more international data points for you, though.
All the American fast food joints keep their prices pretty consistent across countries I've been to in any year, within ten percent or so of conversion rates anyway.
As for local fare in Taiwan, inflation is blowing up here. prices in general here seem about 50% higher than 5 years ago.
China's prices have all doubled since ten years ago, except for housing, which is slightly cheaper(evergrande). Not that they were ever expensive.