cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/50721583

Tommy Siegel | Bluesky

Transcript

Single panel comic

Illustration of a highway with 3 billboards for fast food chains. A bridge is visible in the background, as are power lines running along side of the service road.

Each billboard has a chain logo, with secondary text below.

Wendy’s

  • Your fifth favorite burger is now an app

McDonald’s

  • Will you give us your data for food?

Burger King

  • Guess what: No app? No food
  • The Velour Fog @lemmy.world
    0·
    5 days ago

    If anyone sees me with a fast food app installed, they have permission to take me out back and shoot me, because at that point I’ve truly given up.

    Fast food places pricing me out because I don’t use their app has compelled me to eat less fast food, and I’m better off for it.

  • HubertManne@piefed.socialEnglish
    0·
    5 days ago

    I often mention I stopped going to fast food do to cost. At the time there was still good deals but only on the apps and its like fuck smartphones and fuck them.

  • dylanmorgan@slrpnk.net
    0·
    5 days ago

    My daughter asked me to take her by Ulta yesterday. When she got to the counter they asked if she was a member of the rewards program. When she told them no and declined to sign up they told her that even with a receipt she could not return or exchange any of the items she was buying if she wasn’t a member.

    • revelrous@sopuli.xyz
      0·
      4 days ago

      With ulta I bet the data is a perk, but not why they limit the returns. They can’t (or hopefully don’t?) put items back out to sell once they are opened. A huge block of their demo are low liquidity influencer types, or teens chasing fomo, that would absolutely use a palette for a vid and then return it.

      I would guess the sort to have a rewards card are generally less violatile customers, or they make enough money off them to eat the cost of returns.

  • Heiliger Strohsack@feddit.orgEnglish
    0·
    5 days ago

    From my POV (which might collide with reality (yes, please unconfuse me)) the density of fast-food chains in the US is pretty high, but I mean, come on, the size of the land you use is not small.

    If your body craves for some burger or the like there could be plenty of alternatives, no? What is it that attracts people to these products?

    I’ve been told not just a few of you are proud of entrepreneurs within family/friends or being one themselves. At least some of them could be owner-operated restaurants or diners. No one’s forced to buy from the big players.

    • HobbitFoot @thelemmy.clubEnglish
      0·
      5 days ago

      First, all those restaurants in the comic offer franchises to entrepreneurs. It is common for most entrepreneurs to go with franchises since they are easier to run

      Second, Toast is becoming big with independent restaurants. So, there is a way for independent restaurants to have loyalty programs and run an app.

      • Heiliger Strohsack@feddit.orgEnglish
        0·
        4 days ago

        First, all those restaurants in the comic offer franchises to entrepreneurs. It is common for most entrepreneurs to go with franchises since they are easier to run

        Fair enough. But when I think about entrepeneurship, motivation and health comes/stays with some kind of passion rather than earning money “quick and dirty”.

        I like to see it when they bring some passion to the table, by really like to cook, bake and/or host guests that want to have a somehow more or less special moment. A delicious lunch or snack during a break, a date, a birthday party, you name it. While the surrounding is just pleasant for them and their staff.

        Second, Toast is becoming big with independent restaurants. So, there is a way for independent restaurants to have loyalty programs and run an app.

        I’ve never heard of it. I looked it up. For me its a trap that ultimately result in even more pressure and less focus on the original object(s) of the company. It may support the administrative tasks behind the scenes, granted, but technology which replaces most human interactions and relations will make the restaurant loose its appeal (if it had one in the first place).

        If you are a owner with some kind of passion described above I think you gain genuine loyalty in return. You could offer your guest(s) free stuff coming on the house, give a discount and give them a geniune feeling of being welcome and treated with respect. In my opinion thats way more worthy - for all those who are involved.

  • IAmYouButYouDontKnowYet@reddthat.com
    0·
    5 days ago

    I fear this will be the outcome of New Yorks Cities public grocery system.

    All paths lead to the same future because they are funded and manipulated by the same entities.

  • dan1101@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    5 days ago

    It will get to that point.

    At least the diners around here haven’t raised prices as much as fast food has. We have a good alternative without the BS.