Sneaky Ways Fast Food Restaurants Get You To Spend Money

The Upselling Technique

Fast food restaurants have mastered the art of upselling. It all starts with the menu boards. When you look up to check out the menu, you’ll see the restaurant’s signature items, which tend to be the most expensive. The menu boards will also feature photos of the restaurant's most popular dishes, which are often the priciest. This entices you to try out these items, even if you were only planning on getting a burger and fries.

The upselling technique doesn’t stop there. When you order, you’ll likely be asked if you want to add something to your order, like an extra patty on your burger or extra cheese. The cashier may even suggest that you upgrade your meal to a combo meal and you’ll get a drink for just a few cents more.

The Value Meal

Fast food restaurants also have a knack for making you think that you’re getting a great deal when you get a value meal. Value meals usually offer a slightly lower price for a meal with an added side or a drink. At first glance, it may seem like a great deal, but the truth is, you’re not saving much money and you’re getting more food than you need.

The value meal is also a great marketing technique because it encourages people to get a combo meal even when they didn’t plan to. The restaurant may even sweeten the deal by throwing in a free item or a special discount.

The Supersizing Trick

The “supersizing” trick is another way that fast food restaurants try to get you to spend more money. The supersizing trick involves offering bigger sizes of regular menu items at a discounted price. This may sound like a great deal, but in reality, the bigger size may have more than double the calories and fat of the regular size.

When you order a bigger size, you’re not only getting more food than you need but you’re also getting more calories and fat than you should be eating. If you’re trying to lose weight, supersizing your meal definitely isn’t the way to go.

The “Healthy” Option

Fast food restaurants have also started offering “healthy” options. These options usually include salads, wraps, and lighter sandwiches. While these options may be lower in calories and fat, they may not be as healthy as they seem.

For example, a fast food salad might include fried chicken, bacon, and cheese, which cancels out the health benefits of the salad. The dressings may also be high in calories and fat. A wrap or sandwich may also contain a lot of calories and fat, even if it’s made with grilled chicken and vegetables.

The Combo Deals

Fast food restaurants often offer combo deals which include two or more items at a discounted price. These deals may sound like a great deal, but you’re usually getting more food than you need and you’ll likely end up wasting a lot of it.

The combo deals also encourage people to order more food than they need. Instead of getting a burger and fries, you may end up getting two burgers, fries, and a drink. This can add up to hundreds of extra calories and you’ll likely end up feeling guilty afterwards.

The Kid’s Meal

The kid’s meal is another sneaky way that fast food restaurants get you to spend money. The kid’s meals usually include a small burger, fries, and a toy or a special discount. The kid’s meal is usually cheaper than the regular meals but it’s usually not enough food for an adult.

The kid’s meal is also a great marketing tool because it encourages adults to buy them for their kids. Even if you don’t have a kid, you may be tempted to get the kid’s meal for yourself just to get the toy or the discount.

Conclusion

Fast food restaurants are experts at getting you to spend more money. They use a variety of techniques, such as upselling, value meals, supersizing, “healthy” options, combo deals, and kid’s meals.

It’s important to be aware of these techniques so you can make smart choices when you’re eating out. Choose the right size for your meal, don’t be tempted by the combo deals, and be mindful of what you’re eating.

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