McDonalds

[Costanza]

I agree this is sad... Sad I didn't think of it first.

This Guy Scammed McDonald's For 100 Free Meals Using ChatGPT

People aren't happy with the hack that involves finding discarded receipts at McDonald's.

www.aol.com

He revealed that the first step entails finding discarded receipts at a McDonald's location.

According to the podcaster, once you have a receipt, you'll need to check off "highly dissatisfied" on the receipt survey. Then you use ChatGPT to write a fake complaint.

"You just type in something like 'Write about a time that I had a horrible experience in McDonald's where I ordered a Big Mac. And make it under 1,200 characters.' Copy that. Paste it. It's usually really bad," he said.

Gage went on to add that he has received up to four free McDonald's meal vouchers from just one receipt survey.

And although he says no one has been harmed by this questionable hack, it's been met with a lot of pushback from people commenting on the video. Many expressed concern over the McDonald's location receiving numerous negative reviews.

"'It doesn't harm anyone.' It will when McDonald's shut down that branch because it's had thousands of bad reviews because someone is too cheap to buy a burger," one person pointed out.

Over a dozen people echoed their sentiment, with one user adding that "This is more sad than cool."

 

[blackbull1970]

McDonald's announces plans to hire 375,000 workers with Trump Labor secretary


U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer was present at the announcement as the fast-food chain cozies up to the Trump administration. McDonald's is one of the country's largest private employers.

Amelia Lucas
May 12, 2025

McDonald's announces plans to hire 375,000 workers with Trump Labor secretary

Through its company-owned and franchised restaurants, McDonald's is one of the nation's largest private employers.

www.cnbc.com

 

[Costanza]

Based on the history of pricing for each relative to inflation, how much would a Big Mac and a Whopper be expected to cost in 20 years?

1. Historical nominal prices
   
   • Big Mac: In 2005 the average U.S. price was $2.58. By January 2025 it had risen to $5.79 ($6.01 by July 2025) FacebookThe Economist.
   • Whopper: In 2006 the national average price was $3.50; by 2025, depending on location, it ranges from $5.79 to $8.19 (we’ll use the midpoint $6.99) 24/7 Wall St.Grants Pass Tribune.
2. Inflation adjustment
   
   • CPI‑U (1982–84=100) averaged 190.7 in 2005 and 307 in 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics.
   • We assume future inflation averages 2.5%/year (slightly above the Fed’s 2% target) Investopedia.
3. Compute real‐terms growth
   
   • Big Mac: Nominal growth factor 2005→2025 = 5.79 / 2.58 ≈ 2.244. CPI inflation factor = 307 / 190.7 ≈ 1.611. ⇒ Real growth factor ≈ 2.244 / 1.611 ≈ 1.393 over 20 years ⇒ ≈ 1.7% real annual growth.
   • Whopper: Nominal growth factor 2006→2025 = 6.99 / 3.50 ≈ 1.997. CPI inflation factor ≈ 307 / 198.3 ≈ 1.548 (2006 CPI ≈ 198.3) Bureau of Labor Statistics. ⇒ Real growth factor ≈ 1.997 / 1.548 ≈ 1.289 ⇒ ≈ 1.3% real annual growth.
4. Project 20 years forward (2025 → 2045)
   
   • Nominal annual growth rate ≈ (1 + real_rate)×(1 + inflation_rate) – 1.
     
     • Big Mac: (1.017)(1.025)–1 ≈ 4.2%/yr
     • Whopper: (1.013)(1.025)–1 ≈ 3.8%/yr
   • 20‑year growth factors:
     
     • Big Mac: (1.042)^20 ≈ 2.28
     • Whopper: (1.038)^20 ≈ 2.08
   • Projected prices in 2045:
     
     • Big Mac: $6.01 × 2.28 ≈ $13.70
     • Whopper: $6.99 × 2.08 ≈ $14.55

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Expected 2045 Prices​

• Big Mac: $14 ± $1 (roughly $13–$15)
• Whopper: $15 ± $1 (roughly $14–$16)

Key caveats

• Regional pricing differences may widen or narrow.
• Input costs (beef, labor, packaging) could accelerate or slow beyond general inflation.
• Promotional strategies (value menus, bundling) can temporarily dampen headline prices.

Overall, if past “real” price trends continue and inflation averages ~2.5% annually, both signature burgers could cost on the order of $14–$15 in 2045.