Dynamic Pricing coming to a fast food restaurant near you

StardogChamp79
StardogChamp79 Posts: 1,207
edited February 2024 in A Moving Train
Fast food restaurants are now taking a page out of Ticketmaster’s book. 🤦 It appears this may be the way of the world. Oh the humanity!

https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/27/food/wendys-test-surge-pricing/index.html

https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/04/business/its-not-just-the-super-bowl-going-to-a-game-is-becoming-unaffordable/index.html
Alpine Valley Music Theatre East Troy, Wisconsin (September 03, 2011); Alpine Valley Music Theatre East Troy, Wisconsin (September 04, 2011); Deluna Fest Pensacola, FL (September 21, 2012); Wrigley Field (July 19, 2013); Milwaukee, WI (October 20, 2014); Wrigley Field I (August 20, 2016); Wrigley Field II (August 22, 2016); Home Shows Seattle Night 1 (August 08, 2018); Home Shows Seattle Night 2 (August 10, 2018); Ohana Festival Dana Point (September 27th - 29th, 2019); Apollo Theater (September 10, 2022); Madison Square Garden (September 11, 2022), Bourbon & Beyond Louisville (September 17th, 2022); Las Vegas (May 16th, 2024); Las Vegas (May 18th, 2024).
Post edited by Sea on

Comments

  • on2legs
    on2legs Posts: 16,070
    AMC tried to do this with movie theater tickets.  Charging more for better seats.  It flopped and they dropped it.
    1996: Randall's Island 2  1998: East Rutherford | MSG 1 & 2  2000: Cincinnati | Columbus | Jones Beach 1, 2, & 3 | Boston 1 | Camden 1 & 2 2003: Philadelphia | Uniondale | MSG 1 & 2 | Holmdel  2005: Atlantic City 1  2006: Camden 1 | East Rutherford 1 & 2 2008: Camden 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 (#25) | Newark (EV)  2009: Philadelphia 1, 2 & 4  2010: Newark | MSG 1 & 2  2011: Toronto 1  2013: Wrigley Field | Brooklyn 2 | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore  2015: Central Park  2016: Philadelphia 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Fenway Park 2 | MSG (TOTD)  2017: Brooklyn (RnR HOF)  2020: MSG | Asbury Park  2021: Asbury Park  2022: MSG | Camden | Nashville  2024: MSG 1 & 2 (#50) | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore  2025: Raleigh 2


  • lexicondevil
    lexicondevil Posts: 2,296
    OH darn! I can't eat at Wendy's anymore? What will I do? Eat somewhere better... This is going to be an epic FAIL.
    1991- Hollywood Palladium, California with Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains -RIP Magazine Show Oct. 6th
    1992- Lollapalooza, Irvine, California
    Nothing since then. I suck.
    2016- Fenway Park, Boston - Both glorious nights
    2022- Oakland Night 2
    2024 Sacramento, CA
  • StardogChamp79
    StardogChamp79 Posts: 1,207
    edited February 2024
    I honestly hope so! When is enough, enough? I think it is just the point that there is always another way to fleece the people. 
    Post edited by StardogChamp79 on
    Alpine Valley Music Theatre East Troy, Wisconsin (September 03, 2011); Alpine Valley Music Theatre East Troy, Wisconsin (September 04, 2011); Deluna Fest Pensacola, FL (September 21, 2012); Wrigley Field (July 19, 2013); Milwaukee, WI (October 20, 2014); Wrigley Field I (August 20, 2016); Wrigley Field II (August 22, 2016); Home Shows Seattle Night 1 (August 08, 2018); Home Shows Seattle Night 2 (August 10, 2018); Ohana Festival Dana Point (September 27th - 29th, 2019); Apollo Theater (September 10, 2022); Madison Square Garden (September 11, 2022), Bourbon & Beyond Louisville (September 17th, 2022); Las Vegas (May 16th, 2024); Las Vegas (May 18th, 2024).
  • Kwieneke
    Kwieneke Indiana Posts: 2,145
    I’m a big Wendy’s fan so I hope this fails miserably 
    Noblesville 5.7.2010. Lexington 4.26.2016. Nashville 9.16.2022. St Louis 9.18.2022.
    Chicago 1 9.5.2023. Chicago 2 9.7.2023. 
    *Noblesville 9.10.2023* (Gutted) 
    Seattle 5.30.2024  Noblesville 8.26.2024  Chicago 8.29.2024  Chicago 8.31.2024 
    Pittsburgh 5.16.2025 Pittsburgh 5.18.2025
  • BF25394
    BF25394 Posts: 4,940
    on2legs said:
    AMC tried to do this with movie theater tickets.  Charging more for better seats.  It flopped and they dropped it.
    That's true, but there's another form of variable pricing that movie theaters have used for a long time, and no one questions it. At many theaters, matinees cost less than evening shows, and weekday showings cost less than weekend showings.
    I gather speed from you fucking with me.
  • on2legs
    on2legs Posts: 16,070
    lexicondevil said:
    OH darn! I can't eat at Wendy's anymore? What will I do? Eat somewhere better... This is going to be an epic FAIL.

    lol
    1996: Randall's Island 2  1998: East Rutherford | MSG 1 & 2  2000: Cincinnati | Columbus | Jones Beach 1, 2, & 3 | Boston 1 | Camden 1 & 2 2003: Philadelphia | Uniondale | MSG 1 & 2 | Holmdel  2005: Atlantic City 1  2006: Camden 1 | East Rutherford 1 & 2 2008: Camden 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 (#25) | Newark (EV)  2009: Philadelphia 1, 2 & 4  2010: Newark | MSG 1 & 2  2011: Toronto 1  2013: Wrigley Field | Brooklyn 2 | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore  2015: Central Park  2016: Philadelphia 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Fenway Park 2 | MSG (TOTD)  2017: Brooklyn (RnR HOF)  2020: MSG | Asbury Park  2021: Asbury Park  2022: MSG | Camden | Nashville  2024: MSG 1 & 2 (#50) | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore  2025: Raleigh 2


  • F Me In The Brain
    F Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 31,960
    Fuck Wendy.   That shit is nasty and it has been 20 years since....and will be forever until I eat it.
    Mc D
    BK
    Wendy's
    Blech.  
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • RatherStarved
    RatherStarved Posts: 5,833
    I could see it now.  When you go through the drive thru your favorite items are sold out so you settle for something less.  Then when you have already paid and got your food but before driving away they miraculously discover inventory of what you really wanted and sell you that too.  
    PJ: 2013: London (ON); Buffalo; 2014: Cincinnati; 2016: Sunrise, Miami, Toronto 1-2, Wrigley 2; 2018: London (UK) 1, Milan, Padova, Sea 2, Wrigley 1-2, Fenway 1-2; 2021: SHN, Ohana, Ohana Encore 1-2; 2022: LA 1-2, Phx, Oak 1-2, Fresno, Copenhagen, Hyde Park 1-2; Quebec, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto; MSG, Camden, Nashville, Louisville, St. Louis, OKC; 2023: St. Paul 1-2, Chicago 1-2; Fort Worth 2; Austin 1-2; 2024:  Vancouver 1-2, LV 1-2, LA 1-2, Napa, Barcelona 1-2; Indy; Chicago 1-2; MSG 1-2; Philly 2; Boston 2; Ohana 1-2; 2025: FL 1-2, ATL 1-2, Nash 1-2, Pit 1-2.
     
    EV Solo: 2017 Louisville and Franklin, 2018 Ohana, 2019 Innings Fest, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Dublin and Ohana; 2021 Ohana Friday (from beach) and Saturday; 2022 Earthlings Newark; 2023 Innings Fest and Benoraya 1-2.

    Gutted:  London 2 2018, Sacramento 2022, Noblesville 2023
  • StardogChamp79
    StardogChamp79 Posts: 1,207
    RatherStarved said:
    I could see it now.  When you go through the drive thru your favorite items are sold out so you settle for something less.  Then when you have already paid and got your food but before driving away they miraculously discover inventory of what you really wanted and sell you that too.  
    Or even worse. French fries at 3:00 pm are $2. At 5:00 pm, they are $8 due to high demand. 🤯
    Alpine Valley Music Theatre East Troy, Wisconsin (September 03, 2011); Alpine Valley Music Theatre East Troy, Wisconsin (September 04, 2011); Deluna Fest Pensacola, FL (September 21, 2012); Wrigley Field (July 19, 2013); Milwaukee, WI (October 20, 2014); Wrigley Field I (August 20, 2016); Wrigley Field II (August 22, 2016); Home Shows Seattle Night 1 (August 08, 2018); Home Shows Seattle Night 2 (August 10, 2018); Ohana Festival Dana Point (September 27th - 29th, 2019); Apollo Theater (September 10, 2022); Madison Square Garden (September 11, 2022), Bourbon & Beyond Louisville (September 17th, 2022); Las Vegas (May 16th, 2024); Las Vegas (May 18th, 2024).
  • Zod
    Zod Posts: 10,954
    The Wendy's to population ratio here isn't favourable.  Always long slow lineups at dinner time.  Rarely went there (But I do like the food).

    This has no impact on me as I recently pretty much gave up fast food.
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,778
    It's all road kill anyway.  Your best bet is to stop eating that garbage.  
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • StardogChamp79
    StardogChamp79 Posts: 1,207
    https://www.wbay.com/2024/02/28/burger-king-giving-out-free-whoppers-response-wendys-dynamic-pricing-backlash/?tbref=hp
    Alpine Valley Music Theatre East Troy, Wisconsin (September 03, 2011); Alpine Valley Music Theatre East Troy, Wisconsin (September 04, 2011); Deluna Fest Pensacola, FL (September 21, 2012); Wrigley Field (July 19, 2013); Milwaukee, WI (October 20, 2014); Wrigley Field I (August 20, 2016); Wrigley Field II (August 22, 2016); Home Shows Seattle Night 1 (August 08, 2018); Home Shows Seattle Night 2 (August 10, 2018); Ohana Festival Dana Point (September 27th - 29th, 2019); Apollo Theater (September 10, 2022); Madison Square Garden (September 11, 2022), Bourbon & Beyond Louisville (September 17th, 2022); Las Vegas (May 16th, 2024); Las Vegas (May 18th, 2024).
  • tbergs
    tbergs Posts: 10,502
    StardogChamp79 said:
    https://www.wbay.com/2024/02/28/burger-king-giving-out-free-whoppers-response-wendys-dynamic-pricing-backlash/?tbref=hp
    Where's the equivalent for this in concert tickets? Can we get a "Creed paying people to attend their concerts in response to Pearl Jam bowing to Ticketmaster". :lol:
    It's a hopeless situation...
  • mace1229
    mace1229 Posts: 10,034
    edited March 2024
    Many places already do this.
    Someone mentioned movie prices are different at different times.

    Go to any restaurant and they have lunch specials, weekday specials, happy hour specials, early bird specials, pretty much a special for any time of the day that isn't peak dinner.
    This is nothing new. Not even new to the food industry. Just new to fast food. 
    Even fast food has coupons only valid certain hours (outside peak times), or specials on valid certain hours. Dominoes might offer "free" delivery, but different pricing for take out vs delivery. So real doesn't seem like anything new to me. 
    Post edited by mace1229 on
  • Poncier
    Poncier Posts: 18,031
    edited March 2024
    mace1229 said:
    Many places already do this.
    Someone mentioned movie prices are different at different times.

    Go to any restaurant and they have lunch specials, weekday specials, happy hour specials, early bird specials, pretty much a special for any time of the day that isn't peak dinner.
    This is nothing new. Not even new to the food industry. Just new to fast food. 
    Even fast food has coupons only valid certain hours (outside peak times), or specials on valid certain hours. Dominoes might offer "free" delivery, but different pricing for take out vs delivery. So real doesn't seem like anything new to me. 
    The difference is with things like specials and coupons etc. restaurants are offering things at a lower price than the normal menu price for certain times/circumstances. In this case Wendy's was looking to increase the price from the standard menu price at busier times,

    However Wendy's quickly took note of the backlash and changed/supposedly clarified their tune:

    Wendy’s says it won’t use surge pricing | CNN Business
    Post edited by Poncier on
    This weekend we rock Portland
  • tbergs
    tbergs Posts: 10,502
    Seems like Wendy's needs to fire their sales/marketing execs. All they needed to do was say they were raising prices and then offer lower rates at certain times. They could have messaged it a lot different where they didn't seem quite as sleazy. I expect in about 6 - 12 months you'll see their prices go up overall but they'll emphasize when there are discounts/happy hour type pricing. 
    It's a hopeless situation...
  • mace1229
    mace1229 Posts: 10,034
    Poncier said:
    mace1229 said:
    Many places already do this.
    Someone mentioned movie prices are different at different times.

    Go to any restaurant and they have lunch specials, weekday specials, happy hour specials, early bird specials, pretty much a special for any time of the day that isn't peak dinner.
    This is nothing new. Not even new to the food industry. Just new to fast food. 
    Even fast food has coupons only valid certain hours (outside peak times), or specials on valid certain hours. Dominoes might offer "free" delivery, but different pricing for take out vs delivery. So real doesn't seem like anything new to me. 
    The difference is with things like specials and coupons etc. restaurants are offering things at a lower price than the normal menu price for certain times/circumstances. In this case Wendy's was looking to increase the price from the standard menu price at busier times,

    However Wendy's quickly took note of the backlash and changed/supposedly clarified their tune:

    Wendy’s says it won’t use surge pricing | CNN Business
    It's all perspective. Does Dominoes charge for for delivery or offer a discount for take out? Its just cheaper at off times.

    In the article is says "Wendy’s said the new new digital menus could be used to “change the menu offerings at different times of day and offer discounts,” rather than change prices."

    So sounds like that is exactly what they are doing, raising and lowering the price. Subway offers foot long specials after 4 PM. No one has ever complained about that. This doesn't sound any different to me. 
  • Poncier
    Poncier Posts: 18,031
    mace1229 said:
    Poncier said:
    mace1229 said:
    Many places already do this.
    Someone mentioned movie prices are different at different times.

    Go to any restaurant and they have lunch specials, weekday specials, happy hour specials, early bird specials, pretty much a special for any time of the day that isn't peak dinner.
    This is nothing new. Not even new to the food industry. Just new to fast food. 
    Even fast food has coupons only valid certain hours (outside peak times), or specials on valid certain hours. Dominoes might offer "free" delivery, but different pricing for take out vs delivery. So real doesn't seem like anything new to me. 
    The difference is with things like specials and coupons etc. restaurants are offering things at a lower price than the normal menu price for certain times/circumstances. In this case Wendy's was looking to increase the price from the standard menu price at busier times,

    However Wendy's quickly took note of the backlash and changed/supposedly clarified their tune:

    Wendy’s says it won’t use surge pricing | CNN Business
    It's all perspective. Does Dominoes charge for for delivery or offer a discount for take out? Its just cheaper at off times.

    In the article is says "Wendy’s said the new new digital menus could be used to “change the menu offerings at different times of day and offer discounts,” rather than change prices."

    So sounds like that is exactly what they are doing, raising and lowering the price. Subway offers foot long specials after 4 PM. No one has ever complained about that. This doesn't sound any different to me. 
    Right, that's what they said after the massive backlash. Originally just called it "surge pricing" which as we know from Uber and Lyft is increased pricing at busy times. I imagine someone may have lost their job over that choice of wording.
    This weekend we rock Portland
  • mace1229
    mace1229 Posts: 10,034
    I guess the big difference and what my compliant potentially might be is you can predict and plan around the specials at other places. If the adjusted pricing isn't a standard thing and you don't know what you're getting until you walk in and see the menu, that would irritate me enough to not go there.
    But, since it's a year away from even a test market, I have no idea if it will be like that or not. Could just be here's one menu from 6 AM - 10, a 10-2:00 menu, and a 2:00 and later menu pricing. 
  • cincybearcat
    cincybearcat Posts: 16,962
    This has given me a great idea...going to charge my company more for my time 7-10AM and all day on Fridays.  Finally get that raise I deserve with my dynamic wages model.
    hippiemom = goodness

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