The End of the Fast Food Era

In recent years, there has been a notable decline in the dominance of the fast-food era. For me, this decline has been evident for over a decade now, ever since I retired from my high-stress job as a District Manager and bid farewell to constant travel and daily meals on the road. Transitioning away from fast food has been a decision I’m grateful for.

The first noticeable benefit of cutting out fast food was the savings. Between breakfast coffees and daily lunches, I immediately began saving $15 a day, which has now escalated to around $30 in today’s economy. That translates to $75 a week back then, or approximately $3900 annually—a significant sum. Alongside the financial savings, there were health improvements, including a 25-pound weight loss.

Recently, amidst rising minimum wages and the escalating cost of living under the Biden administration, I queried my colleagues about their daily food expenditures, encompassing Uber Eats deliveries, coffees, and lunches. To my surprise, the average expenditure amounted to $25 a day, totaling around $125 a week, or approximately $6500 annually—with taxes further inflating the costs.

Many have asked why I’ve forsaken dining out and spending on breakfast and lunch items. My response is simple: it’s unhealthy and financially unsustainable. As a retiree, every penny counts towards bill payments, and prioritizing my health has paid dividends. My blood sugar and cholesterol levels have decreased, and I’ve shed excess weight. The weekly migraine headaches are now a thing of the past. It took time to overcome the cravings for morning pastries, McMuffins, and coffee, as well as the variety of sit-down lunches that used to dominate my days.

I find contentment in my decision to eschew these establishments. Observing the struggles of these businesses, with many shutting down due to increased wages and food costs, reinforces my choice. Like many others in my age bracket, I’ve opted for homemade meals and packed lunches, which are not only cost-effective but also healthier. Breakfast at home, accompanied by homemade coffee and packed lunches, amounts to roughly $4 a day, or $960 annually. Often, a substantial breakfast suffices, negating the need for lunch, especially given the shift towards healthier eating habits.

Conversations with younger colleagues reveal their challenges in navigating this world. Many are yet to own homes and rely on services like Uber Eats for meals, alongside other habits like smoking and vaping. They fail to comprehend my lifestyle, characterized by homeownership, financial stability, and a lack of credit card debt. Even in retirement, I work a few days a week to counter rising costs, managing comfortably with social security.

My wife and I refrain from tapping into our savings, anticipating the economic uncertainties brought on by factors like “bidenomics” and soaring utility and food costs. We’ve noticed a similar trend among fellow seniors—a departure from dining out, as evidenced by exorbitant dinner prices. We’ve embraced the philosophy that every penny saved contributes to financial security.

When traveling, we’ve learned to forgo fast food in favor of groceries, enabling us to prepare our meals and pack our drinks. Often, beverages can be stored in a cooler with ice—an economical and healthier alternative. With seniors comprising a significant portion of their customer base, the demise of fast food may well be on the horizon. In an ever-changing economy, luxuries like fast food are proving to be dispensable, rather than essential.