Wendy's to test surge pricing

[Praying Colonel]

https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/w...-pricing-menu-prices-fluctuating-based-demand

If there's a way to ensure I'll never patronize a restaurant, this is it.

Well, this and food poisoning. But mainly this.

 

[5kidsmommy]

Post pandemic we just don't eat fast food. The prices have gotten outrageous and the quality is worse than ever. I agree this will ensure we never eat there again.

 

[soccerdad72]

50% premium on all late night menu items (e.g. 'drunk tax')?

 

[Smugpugmug]

They know that people will just go somewhere else, right? No one is desperate enough to pay big bucks for a crappy fast food burger.

 

[MillauFr]

Our own state transportation agency varies the tolls based on demand. Not sure why it is surprising that a corporation would do the same.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Wendy's is planning to spend $20 million to implement the fluctuating prices? How about spending the money on improving their food?

 

[kdonnel]

Las Vegas hotels have been using surge pricing in their hotel convenience stores for years.

That bottle of water might be $3 on Wednesday and $5 on Friday.

 

[Genie+]

I doubt people will tolerate this the way they do hotel and airline pricing. Most people are aware of those and it makes more sense for something that has limited quantity (seats/rooms, etc). Is there a limit on french fries - shipments are constantly coming to fill the freezer? So if I buy them this afternoon for $3 and next week stop by at 10pm and they are $5, that is going to make a negative impact and weigh into my decision next time.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Our own state transportation agency varies the tolls based on demand. Not sure why it is surprising that a corporation would do the same.

Because I may only have 1-2 driving options but have a gazillion food options (including just eating at home)?

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/w...-pricing-menu-prices-fluctuating-based-demand

If there's a way to ensure I'll never patronize a restaurant, this is it.

Well, this and food poisoning. But mainly this.

Well now you can get both all on one spot. HAHA.

Ok on a more serious note after the junk has been sitting for 6 hours, you should get a turbulent tummy discount.

 

[BrianL]

I doubt people will tolerate this the way they do hotel and airline pricing. Most people are aware of those and it makes more sense for something that has limited quantity (seats/rooms, etc). Is there a limit on french fries - shipments are constantly coming to fill the freezer? So if I buy them this afternoon for $3 and next week stop by at 10pm and they are $5, that is going to make a negative impact and weigh into my decision next time.

Exactly - it's one thing when you are talking about something with finite space and potentially more demand than supply, not to mention demand that highly fluctuates. For burgers and fries? Yeah, they're around in abundance if you want them. It doesn't make much sense.

 

[T00dles]

Are they going to pay the employees more when it's busier?

 

[lynxstch]

I don't eat at Wendy's,, and that's one way to assure that I won't.

 

[Genie+]

Why don’t they just put an auctioneer next to the drive thru? Low bid has to wait the longest for their food. Whoever bids highest gets food first. If you’re willing to pay $35 for this combo meal, will give you JoeBob’s same order that just became ready right now. JoeBob only bid $25

 

[PollyannaMom]

I saw this on the news earlier and I think it's ridiculous. I expect they'll lose money in places where customers have other choices in fast food nearby. (And where they don't, I expect people will shift the time they go rather than pay the higher price.)

 

[BrianL]

I saw this on the news earlier and I think it's ridiculous. I expect they'll lose money in places where customers have other choices in fast food nearby. (And where they don't, I expect people will shift the time they go rather than pay the higher price.)

Right, but theoretically if customers time-shift, then those will become the busy times and hence the surge. I really don't know what they are thinking with this.

 

[_19disnA]

Wendy's marketing people must be running out of new ideas. What a dreadful idea. In most places where there are fast food places, usually I see several. If Wendy's resorts to price gouging at busy times, I would imagine most will eat elsewhere...............LOL.

 

[TippyThomas]

This appears to be a major marketing blunder.

 

[mom2rtk]

Our own state transportation agency varies the tolls based on demand. Not sure why it is surprising that a corporation would do the same.

Because there aren't as many toll alternatives as there are fast food alternatives.

If McDonald's doesn't jump all over this with advertisements about their predictable pricing, their marketing VP should be fired.

 

[mom2rtk]

I predict this will go down in colossal failure.