Slowing down fast food

Not your Grand Daddy's Ruby Tuesday's

One of the most interesting market clashes will soon be occurring: casual dining restaurants versus fast-casual eateries. McDonalds increased their prices 10% in 2023, a sad desk salad and a drink at Sweetgreen costs $17, and Chipotle increased their prices for the 4th time in 2 years. While all that seems unbearable, there are some restaurants that are here to help your wallet. 

We all know about Olive Garden’s unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks for $6.99, but what about Chili’s Three for Me meals that cost only $10? Or, Applebee’s 2 for $20 deal that gives you two salads, an appetizer and two meals? While there was a smell of gimmick, Applebee’s just offered an annual subscription package that gave you and a date $30 per week for only $200! 

While Red Lobster was never the fanciest night out, it always was rightly held in higher regard than going to Subway. Unfortunately, Subway now sells basic subs for over $10 a footlong. If you aren’t worried about eating on the go, why not get the all you can eat shrimp and sides at Red Lobster for $15.99? There is a difference in speed, but with their new low prices I imagine the casual dining restaurants will open fast-serve sections to better accommodate lunch hours and quick diners. 

I know what your rebuttal is, the author is forgetting about tipping. Boy do I wish I did, I sadly never can forget about tipping. Nearly every cash register you use asks you for a tip now. When you order Cava online it asks you to leave a tip for the staff before they even receive your order. If your instinct is to leave that tip then at least at Ruby Tuesday’s you actually get to be served and judge that service before tipping your hard earned money. Stop comparing TGI Friday’s dining room to The Palm and start comparing it to Moe’s.