McDonald’s is a fast food empire with over 40,000 restaurants across the globe and more than 13,000 locations in the United States. With an annual revenue of over $23 billion a year, the company is by far the largest burger chain in the world.
Since the pandemic, it saw profits ballooning, despite citing rising operational costs and supply chain issues as major problems dragging growth and even passing along a series of price increases to its customers to allegedly offset sales losses. With its stock rallying at the moment, and higher menu prices resulting in a significant increase in average ticket costs, it’s hard to imagine how a business of this size and magnitude can be struggling right now.
The answer is not simple, but in today’s video, we’re going to explain why the biggest fast food chain in the entire industry is facing a rare and yet unsurprising wave of bankruptcies in 2023.
Despite being the greatest fast-food corporation the world has ever seen, 95% of McDonald’s restaurants in America are operated by independent owners, and the war between corporate and franchisees seems to be getting worse this year. For decades, operators have been fighting McDonald’s tightening rules and expensive demands, and now many of them are hitting a breaking point.
For about 40% of franchisees, McDonald’s new financial requirements may end their years-long leases because the company’s rising expenses are not allowing these stores to hit profit targets. Simply put, these franchisees may have their contracts canceled, losing all of their investment if they fail to meet corporate expectations. In other words, one in four McDonald’s operators is at risk of going bankrupt due to the actions of the company itself.
But their strategy of expanding their business on the back of operators isn’t a clever one. At some point, its entire model could be at risk if enough of them decide to leave the company. When they signed their contracts with the megachain, franchisees were promised to become partners with the company. But over the years, corporate changed rules and regulations, so that the operators were the only ones responsible for the risk of managing a low-margin restaurant business during economic downturns.
On a consumer level, things aren’t going great either. The brand’s push for more expensive burgers has not been well-accepted by customers. Even though the average ticket prices have risen by roughly 15% over the past 12 months due to higher menu prices, there are fewer people visiting McDonald’s locations on a monthly basis, and they are even fewer people revisiting its restaurants multiple times in a month.
Put simply, customer loyalty is going down, and that was one of the main pillars that helped McDonald’s to build its brand since its foundation in 1955. Unfortunately, McDonald’s case is a clear demonstration of how a great business can rot from within due to its own greed. That’s a reality more people are waking up to right now, and that ultimately will contribute to the demise of the greatest fast-food chain America has ever seen.
Sound off about this article and video on our Economic Collapse Substack.
Article and video cross-posted from Epic Economist.
How to Prepare for Food Emergencies if You Don’t Have a Homestead or Bunker
In an unpredictable world, where supply chain disruptions, natural disasters, or economic instability can strike without warning, having a reliable food supply is more than just smart—it’s essential for survival. Whether you’re a “prepper” or not, we all know the golden rule: self-sufficiency is key. But what if you’re living in an apartment, working long hours, or simply don’t have the land to turn into a thriving homestead? Don’t worry; there’s a practical, effective way to build your food security without needing acres of soil or a fortified bunker.
The Ideal Prep: Building Your Own Food Empire
The ultimate dream for any serious prepper is controlling your own food production. Imagine waking up to a sprawling garden bursting with fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs—tomatoes ripening on the vine, potatoes ready to harvest, and greens that provide nutrition year-round. Add in livestock like chickens for eggs and meat, and you’ve got a self-sustaining system that keeps your family fed no matter what chaos unfolds outside.
This approach isn’t just about calories; it’s about resilience. A well-maintained garden can yield hundreds of pounds of produce annually, while a small flock of chickens might produce dozens of eggs weekly. It’s empowering, cost-effective in the long run, and teaches invaluable skills like crop rotation, animal husbandry, and preservation techniques. If you have the space, time, and resources, starting small and scaling up is the best path to true independence.
The Reality Check: Not Everyone Can Homestead
But let’s face it—not all of us are in a position to go full homesteader. Urban dwellers might be limited to a balcony or community plot that’s far from sufficient for long-term needs. Busy professionals juggling jobs, families, and daily life often lack the hours required for daily tending. And for those in apartments, condos, or regions with harsh climates, raising livestock or maintaining a large garden simply isn’t feasible. Factors like zoning laws, soil quality, water access, or even physical limitations can make this ideal out of reach.
That’s where the frustration sets in. You want to be prepared, but without a homestead or bunker, how do you ensure your pantry doesn’t run dry during a prolonged crisis? The good news is, you don’t have to sacrifice your preparedness goals. There’s a smart, accessible alternative that bridges the gap: investing in high-quality, long-term storage food.
The Smart Alternative: Long-Term Storage Food from Heaven’s Harvest
Long-term storage food is designed for exactly these scenarios—providing nutrient-dense, shelf-stable meals that last for decades without refrigeration or special conditions. It’s the perfect solution for preppers who can’t rely on fresh production but still demand reliability and variety in their emergency stockpile.
At Heaven’s Harvest, they specialize in premium survival food kits that make preparedness effortless. Their products are crafted with the prepper mindset in mind: non-GMO, made in the USA, and packed with real ingredients that taste like home-cooked meals, not bland rations. Whether you’re stocking up for a short-term blackout or a long-haul SHTF event, our kits offer:
- Extended Shelf Life: Up to 25 years of storage, so you can buy once and forget about rotation worries.
- Nutritional Balance: High-protein entrees, fruits, vegetables, and dairy alternatives to keep your energy up and health intact.
- Ease of Preparation: Just add water, and you’ve got hearty meals like beef stroganoff, chili mac, or cheesy lasagna ready in minutes—no garden weeding required.
- Customizable Options: From individual buckets to family-sized kits, scale your supply to fit your needs and budget.
- Peace of Mind: Sealed in durable, waterproof containers that protect against pests, moisture, and light.
Unlike generic store-bought cans that spoil quickly or lack variety, Heaven’s Harvest focuses on quality and sustainability. Our food is freeze-dried or dehydrated to lock in flavor and nutrients, ensuring you’re not just surviving but thriving. And for those concerned about allergens or dietary preferences, we offer gluten-free and vegetarian options to keep everyone covered.
Why Wait? Secure Your Food Supply Today
Preparing for food emergencies doesn’t require a homestead or bunker—it requires action. By choosing long-term storage food from Heaven’s Harvest, you’re taking control in a way that fits your lifestyle. Start small with a 72-hour kit to test the waters, or go all-in with a year’s supply for ultimate security.
Visit Heaven’s Harvest today and use code “PATRIOT” for an exclusive discount on your order. Don’t let limitations hold you back; build your resilient future, one meal at a time. Your family will thank you when it matters most.
I love MickyDs but now a meal burger fries in $8 bucks. I can go to a lot of places for that or get healthy premade salad or meal from decent grocery store. On top of that it is not fast anymore takes for ever. Feel sorry for people who invested millions took risk then slave to corporate, defeats purpose owning a business. Take those millions buy some residential rental properties and will make more money and full control no employees and 1/100 headaches
Did Biden-omics kill the McRib?
Maybe their business model should change to one where real, unadulterated food is served.
This is nothing more than the corporate’s Harvard MBAs getting bigger bonuses without knowing where their bonus money comes from. Haven’t been in a Micky D’s in years after convincing me they cannot make a cup of coffee that isn’t rancid or bitter or putting an old hamburger on a roll in the microwave and serving it. .
I recently paid $11.40 for a quarter pounder meal. A double cheeseburger meal at Culvers is $2.00 less. It’s no wonder they’re going bankrupt.
People used to go to the Golden Arches because it was cheap… then because it was reasonable… then with Bernie Sanders’ 15 dollar minimum wage, two adult meals and two happy meals costs over 40 bucks as predicted. Of course franchises are going to fold, their product is 2 out of 10 stars. McDonalds is doomed… Bidenomics.
This is what happens when wall street instead of main street runs the show. Plus I refuse to eat at fast food anymore because there have seen one too many postings online of workers at fast food that molest the food or refuse to wash their hands after they use the bathroom and that makes me wanna hurl because of it. No thank you I’ll pack my own.
The new restaurants are cold and uninviting, local bars are comfortable. Prices are nearly as high as local bar burgers that are better. After the plandemic, I began supporting local businesses as much as possible. Inflation has spiked and my wages have not. McDonald’s lost my business due to those 4 reasons.
Too expensive for me now. Sad, but true.
Remember the 5 dollar foot long from 2021? It’s 9 dollars plus tax now. Subway is doomed too. Thanks Bernie and AOC. Those unemployed employees are going on the taxpayer provided dole… Bidenomics.
I haven’t eaten at McDonalds in at least 5 years because of a combination of poor quality and high prices. I don’t intend to go back.
Last time I was in McDonald’s was in the early 90’s.
Not all, but a lot of the employees are ignorant. Not stupid, just have no people skills, a lot don’t appear to WANT to work, that customers are interrupting them from playing grab a** with the each other.
Other than places like Chic FIL-A & a few others, I don’t bother with fast food places. It’s cheaper to eat at home, thanks to Brandon
Their business model, of keeping burger prices low via grinding up human trafficking victims and mixing it in with whatever else their patties consist of, was severely disrupted by Trump and they are starting to feel the pinch. Good riddance.
Cuckoo… cuckoo
The ridiculous 15 dollar minimum wage brought us 13 dollar big mac meals, and doomed Burger King, McDonalds and other cheap fast food restaurants. Democrat donkeys screw up everything they touch.
Best things on the menu are the original hamburger/cheeseburger. I’d like to see them focus on that and even offer six-packs like some of their competitors.
Also–bring back the beef tallow and salt for french fries.
THEY HAVE TOO MANY PRODUCTS AND TOO MANY PEOPLE WORKING1
Streamline the offerings, get rid of the fancy coffee. Offer about 5 different burgers and fries. 1 Chicken sandwich and nuggets. Start marketing to families and kids again instead of millenials wanting coffee! Break with Disney and go back to coole Happy Meals. The Happy Meals used to bring them in.