Americans are choking on surging fast-food prices. "I can't justify the expense," one customer says

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Americans are choking on surging fast-food prices. "I can't justify the expense," one customer says
cbsnews.com

Kevin Roberts remembers when he could get a bacon cheeseburger, fries and a drink from Five Guys for $10. But that was years ago. When the Virginia high school teacher recently visited the fast-food chain, the food alone without a beverage cost double that amount.

Roberts, 38, now only gets fast food "as a rare treat," he told CBS MoneyWatch. "Nothing has made me cook at home more than fast-food prices."

Roberts is hardly alone. Many consumers are expressing frustration at the surge in fast-food prices, which are starting to scare off budget-conscious customers.

A January poll by consulting firm Revenue Management Solutions found that about 25% of people who make under $50,000 were cutting back on fast food, pointing to cost as a concern.

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I was running between work and meeting friends for drinks last week. Lost track of time and it got past 10pm. On the way home, saw a Burger King drive-in. Haven't had fast food in years (we eat at home a lot). What the hell.

Two discoveries:

  • A small Whopper meal was over $15!
  • My stomach didn't appreciate it all night and most of the next day.

For that kind of money, you can do much better. Lesson learned.

I've got a couple of sealed packs of peanuts in the glove box.

Almonds also work really well for an emergency snack.

I also keep a few packs of Poptarts in case my kids lose their minds.