Fast Food

Fast-food menu prices have soared during the pandemic

Will Kreznick 24 hours ago

Photograph: Shutterstock

The Bottom Line

The pandemic has apparently led to higher prices for fast food.

In January, prices for food away from home—or menu prices—increased 3.9% year-over-year. That was the same rate as in December. That is also the highest rate for menu price inflation since late 2008, when the country was in a deep recession.

But these menu prices aren’t evenly spread. Much of that abnormality can be traced to a certain type of restaurant: One without wait staff.

According to federal data, prices at limited-service restaurants increased 6.2%. By contrast, prices at full-service restaurants increased 2.9%.

What’s more, the gap

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Fast-food chicken wars are defining the industry during the pandemic

Will Kreznick 1 day ago
  • The demand for new fast-food chicken sandwiches is higher than ever before.
  • McDonald’s, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, and KFC have all launched new chicken sandwiches in the past year.
  • The strategy for many chains appears to be replicating competitors’ successes to win over customers.
  • Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories.

For fast-food chains working tirelessly to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic with a strong customer base and an even stronger financial position, one thing is for certain: The bird is the word.

From Chick-fil-A to Taco Bell and McDonald’s, new chicken offerings have been a focus for every

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Beyond Meat lands big deals with McDonald’s, KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut

Will Kreznick 1 day ago

The popular plant-based meat alternative company Beyond Meat just inked fresh deals with some of the largest fast-food chains in the U.S., a pivotal step in the growing shift to vegetarian and vegan diets in the country.

Beyond Meat announced its new partnership Thursday with McDonalds, which will span its global franchises and offer a new plant-based burger dubbed the “McPlant.”

“Our new McPlant platform is all about giving customers more choices when they visit McDonald’s,” said Francesca DeBiase, McDonald’s Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer. “We’re excited to work with Beyond Meat to drive innovation in this

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11 Fast-Food Breakfast Items That Have Disappeared

Will Kreznick 1 day ago

During the big menu purges of 2020, breakfast items frequently found themselves on the chopping block. With commuters working from home and children not attending school, drive-thru breakfast service at fast-food restaurants declined. Instead, many families turned to their own kitchens to whip up bowls of oatmeal or eggs any style.

And while some beloved items have since returned to menus, the following breakfast fast-food items are still missing in action (and likely won’t be making a comeback). For more on fast-food trends, check out the 6 Most Anticipated Fast-Food Menu Items Launching This Year.

Courtesy of Chick-fil-A

This

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Is the new Popeyes fish sandwich better than McDonald’s?

Will Kreznick 2 days ago

I ate a lot of McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish sandwiches between the ages of 5 and 12. Part of me thought they were healthier than the burgers on the menu. I liked the squishy bun. I was fascinated by how the half slice of American cheese stuck to the top bun tighter than any super glue I’d used for a school project. And part of me thought I was fancy every time I ate fish, in any form.

Every Lenten season, fast food restaurants push their versions of a fried fish sandwich as an alternative to ground beef for those observing and

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