Cost of Maccies Etc

[RabbitsRock]

Used to be a fairly cheap option but not anymore! Trying to get through to DD16 that Maccies is now a treat rather than something to just casually buy ( she asked if we could go & get breakfast earlier). How often do you have Maccies, Burger King, KFC etc? I wouldn’t even say we have it monthly these days. I could start a whole other thread about DD & the value of money!

Me and DH never unless we are on a road trip with few options (I would do M&S or Greggs, etc, long before fast food). I don't think we have ever had breakfast. Did do happy meals when he was wee
DS16, rarely, he had Burger King at the airport last week on a school trip. They do go for a Nandos or similar once a month or so. More likely to get a meal deal at the supermarket.

They do deals where you get a certain percentage off or X pounds off if you order a certain amount so you can order anything that you like. So currently you can get £2 off if you spend £10. It’s worth checking the app for those if you’re going. They tend to put them out on Mondays.

I agree OP. It is not a cheap, quick meal anymore. I used to occasionally stop at McD with my daughter for a meal if we were coming back home late, but now it is at around £15 for both of us. We have an IKEA next to McD and with loyalty card you can get two meals, drinks and a cake for only a couple pounds more than that. So we now go to IKEA instead.

Some deals may be specific to certain days or people but it’s always worth checking the app before you go.

Ikea is really good value, I agree. Though I’m not happy with them because they’ve stopped the nice seasonal pieces of cake that they used to do. I’m not a big fan of the Swedish cakes(Besides the kladdkaka)

"Although I am quite partial to a fillet of fish!"

Ah yes, @Gall10. I love a fillet of fish. Last time I hade one though I was very disappointed- it was so thin, half a cm, and it was so dry. I haven't had another one since, which is a shame because it was my favourite thing to order.

Yea, it’s overpriced so it’s just a treat or convenience now.

We don't have a burger king, KFC I refuse (have you seen the calories in those meals?)

We rarely get maccies - I will if I am on my own 😂 but DC orders 20 nuggets, large fries, large drink, whatever cheesy side they have going - and he doesn't share, I can see the fear in his eyes when he hands me over a nugget (he's a big lad)

Never, but I can see why a teenager would like it. Could she not use her own money/card if she fancies one? I definitely wouldn’t consider it a treat as an ancient old woman.

I go through phases with McDonald's. At one point I was practically living off the spicy nuggets. Why don't they bring them back?

I haven't had it since I got put off as had it every day for two weeks visiting someone in hospital last year. I like the hash browns. I could easily eat about four! But I'm too lazy to wake up before they stop the breakfasts. 🤣

For a hot meal, if you get a small burger or share a big box of nuggets and chips it's not really that expensive. It's cheaper than any other takeaway meals. Except maybe off brand chicken shops.

My teen and her friends go to McDonald’s a lot and get the £5 meal deal.

They’ve taken up eating in various fancier restaurants and have eaten out 4 times in the past week so it’s cheaper for me for her to go to fast food places.

DD is just out of the age for a happy meal sadly. I wouldnt mind but her food choice is a bacon double cheeseburger which does not seem to have a meal option. And she only drinks water or milk so add that on top with some fries and its nearly a tenner for a 10 year olds lunch.

Unfortunately the halfway point for trips to my parents who live 4hrs away is a MacDs so Ive had two over the half term. I try and get the wrap of the day (and remember her water bottle) to keep costs down.

DD is looking for a job. She gets £25 a pocket money a week, which I know is a lot, but she’s very good at trying to convince me that it’s not enough & that DH & I should pay for more stuff for her! The food issue is complicated as well as she’s cut right down on her eating so then I get guilt tripped into buying things like Maccies “ because at least I’m eating something”. Coupled with other behaviour, it’s making me think I need to speak to BEAT ( eating disorders charity) but that’s another thread altogether.

Same with Nandos ( sorry off topic) price means it can no longer be a 'cheeky' meal.

£25 a WEEK?! <Faints>

Mine get about £30 a month and I thought that was generous!

Agree completely. The 'we prefer quality ingredients' stuff just makes me roll my eyes.

I cook 'from scratch' every day - and used to eat at Michelin-starred restaurants for a living - but I still like a double quarterpounder with cheese and a chocolate shake once in a blue moon.

I draw the line at Gregg's though

Wrap of the day and saver menus are perfectly reasonable.

KFC is our ‘go to’ so can’t really comment on McDonald’s. I almost fainted when it was over £40 for myself, DH and DSS (14) the other week.

We live in a semi rural area so rarely have McDs or Burger King but when we stopped at motorway services recently we had a Burger King meal each and it was £24! I had to check it twice as I was absolutely shocked! Just burgers, chips, drinks and a side of onion rings.

I completely understand why you feel the need to buy her mcDs, but i think you're priority is to speak to BEAT.

She's 16, I'm assuming you buy clothes and things she needs? Let her use her own pocket money for 'treats'.

We've definitely had them cold despite eating in. It all depends how busy the place is. If it's really busy, the fries/burgers aren't languishing around too long, but if it's a quiet time, they could have been sat there for quite a while before being served.

Just worked out it’s 10 years since I had a MacD’s or Burger King (over 20 for KFC 🤢)!

Nasty stuff, I’d rather go hungry till the next opportunity for decent food presented itself.

Have you read Ultra processed People? I’m half way through it so a bit all over it at the moment. I’m not usually a clean eating evangelist and love the occasional McDonald’s. But lots of scientists saying UPF is not food as such but “industrially produced edible substances”. Which sounds less appealing. That’s what that post reminded me of.

OP I haven’t had a McDonald’s for months (damn health kick!) but you’re right, it has gone up!

I like my pickles and some McDs charge 20p for extra and some don't!

It shouldn’t be seen as part of a normal day to day diet so it’s a good thing that your daughter is being told no when she’s asking to randomly get a McDonald’s breakfast.

Personally we have McDonald’s if we’re on our travels in the car and need a quick meal or if there’s a birthday/special occasion and someone picks it as the meal choice.