If you thought your last fast-food order was a little more expensive than usual, you’re right.
A large chunk of the menu at fast food giants including Hungry Jack’s, McDonald’s and KFC have surged over the past year as inflation and production costs rise.
Even the cost of the humble soft-serve cone has increased as franchise owners admit they’re grappling with how to adjust prices.
There’s been uproar this week in the UK after McDonald’s, citing inflation, ended its 99p cheeseburger deal and lifted the price to £1.19.
Back home, a McDonald’s Double Quarter Pounder has increased 95¢ since last year from $7.65 to $8.60, while small and large soft drinks are up 40¢ each.
Hungry families or uni students looking to fill the fridge for the week are going to have to stretch a bit further at KFC this year for a bucket of 21 pieces of chicken — up $3.50 to $38.45, while a pack of six wicked wings is up $1 .
And at Hungry Jack’s, a Whopper is up to a whopping 60¢ and cheeseburger meals are up between $1 and $1.30.
Soft serve cones are now 70¢ at Hungry Jack’s, up from 60¢, and 75¢ at McDonald’s, up from 70¢.
Prices generally vary across stores, usually by as little as 10¢ to 20¢, because franchisees are able to set them to meet local conditions.
Richard Hill, the licensee of seven WA Macca’s outlets including Beechboro, Northam and Ellenbrook, said he saw no respite in sight.
“This is the toughest environment I’ve ever seen and I’ve been in the business for 40 years,” he said.
“We’re paying . . . double for a piece of equipment that we might’ve paid for two years ago because the cost of shipping around the world has dramatically changed so much.
Read what other industry professionals had to say in the full subscriber exclusive story in The West Australian.
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