– What benefit do fast food restaurants derive from putting all of their “deals” in their apps?

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I bought fast food for a group of people last night. The menu pricing was significantly higher than ordering through the app, which also allowed me to attach a digital coupon.

The pricing within the app is what I would expect to pay, or what I believe is “fair” or “reasonable” for chicken nuggets, French fries, and cheeseburgers.

On the other hand, I have cut my fast food consumption by at least half over the last few years because the published menu prices have skyrocketed.

What possible benefit would a fast food restaurant derive from publishing high prices to the casual customer and drastically reducing them within the app?

They have to be realizing a net loss of customers with this model, right?

In: Economics

49 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Fast food companies, give you a “deal” when you use the app which is really just what they were charging a few years ago or probably a bit more. They know who you are, what you bought and exactly when you bought it. Sure the restaurants don’t make quite as much but they’re gathering information which can be sold and used to keep you coming back. Anyone who doesn’t order on the app pays significantly more than they should so it’s likely the fast food companies aren’t losing any money by giving up users lower prices.  

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