Wendy’s is moving ahead with its plans to close hundreds of restaurants, amounting to between 5% and 6% of its total stores in the U.S., according to its fourth-quarter earnings report.
Published on February 13, the report shows that Wendy’s domestic business is lagging behind its international efforts. Total same-store sales fell 10.1% over the quarter, driven by low performance in the U.S., where same-store sales were down 11.3% (compared to 2% at international locations). Overall, global systemwide sales were $3.4 billion, a decrease of 8.3% from the previous quarter.
Fuck your chatbot ordering system.
The convenience of fast food isn’t there anymore; it is not cheap nor is it fast, I don’t recall last time I spent less than $12 and didn’t have to wait a considerable amount of time in the drive-thru lane.
Instead of spending $12 + tax at say Wendy’s, I can spend that at a relatively healthier option like Chipotle. Waiting times are comparable (unless you get there at peak hours)
Chipotle quality has dipped as well. Not as bad, but it tastes drier and drier every time. I feel they must be cutting ingredient quality as much as they seem to be cutting staff. The amount of times it looked like a sweat shop with 1 cook and 1 cashier when picking up food during dinner time was too many. We’ve found ourselves going less and less.
Edit: forgot to mention, while they did this, the prices kept getting higher and higher. Saying it out loud sounds like your typical private equity run to the ground and extract value strategy.
I agree. I do have to note that on my personal experience the quality of chipotle varies by location. For instance, when I travel to affluent areas such as Ft. Lauderdale on the east coast of Florida, I leave chipotle with a bowl that can barely close because of how much they stuffed it and food is pretty decent. Compare that to the local chipotle next to the university where I live and you see a huge drop, food is barely cooked and they treat you like Oliver Twist when you ask them to not be cheap and put an actual scope of rice instead of the half scope they just did.
You’re probably right about fast food not being cheap nor fast anymore, but I don’t think this is the reason sales are down. That would imply
- more chains are experiencing the same drop; and
- this happened globally too.
Perhaps I misunderstood you, and you meant only Wendy’s and only in USA (or there’s other sources saying sales are down for other vendors and/or other countries).
What are some other reasons sales are down in the US? I’ve heard that the economy is turning K-shaped, and I imagine that’s bad news for fast food chains like Wendy’s, as a minority of rich people can only buy so much food. But this would again mean other chains experience slowdowns. So I’m not really sure
It astounds me people are willing to pay the price of (crappy) fast food today.
Quality has been on a constant decline, the AI ordering system sucks, and things cost too much. What do they think is going to happen?
Wendy’s gave me the worst food poisoning I have ever had. Passed out, almost crashed my motorcycle, and shit on myself while projectile vomiting. Fuck Wendy’s.
I’ll be damned… prices double or triple over a few years added to the convenience of “we’re out of large cups, out of French fry containers, out of hamburger buns, out of ALL chicken based products, and the frying oil hasn’t been changed in months… how may i help you?” and business drops off. Can’t imagine why… a burger, fry, and Coke for two shouldn’t cost as much or more than a steak dinner for two prepared at home. It’s FAST FOOD not fine dining. It used to be fast, food (barely), and fairly cheap now it isn’t fast or cheap but it’s still barely food.
Of course there are the exceptions to the rule… Wendy and Mickey D introduced “dollar menu” items and Arby’s introduced their “second mortgage meal” years ago. I always said I love Arby’s but I hate filling out the loan application before you can order!
But… it isn’t JUST fast food that has gotten ridiculously expensive. A couple days ago my wife and I stopped at a sit down restaurant for breakfast. We both had a couple poached eggs over ham and cheese hash brown patties with a modified hollandaise sauce with coffee. Nice place with nice food but nothing spectacular, not 5 star service with a special waiter that only brushes crumbs between courses or anything like that. Just a decent restaurant. After tip the bill was over $80.00… for breakfast. Our once a week go out for breakfast has now reduced to once every 4 to 6 weeks purely due to the exorbitantly high prices.
It shouldn’t be cheaper to buy a boat and go fishing than it is to order the Admirals Feast at dead lobster.
OK, off my soap box and back to my rocking chair on the front porch, to be sure those damn kids stay off of my lawn… grumbles under breath about gas prices while walking away…
$3 for a cup of coffee was my diner tipping point. (Same with sodas).
Fuck you. I’ll give you a buck. I’ve worked in restaurants, coffee is cheap as fuck (especially the crap they use). A case of restaurant coffee packs is $45 on Amazon - that makes like 300 cups of coffee. I’m sure when they buy it, the cost is even lower.
They took away my sweet and sour sauce. I will not forgive, I will not forget, you bastards.
