Originally Posted by
Jazzop
So, 5 Guys has a damn good burger, except...
...for the price. I can't justify paying $7.50 for a burger alone when I know that In-n-Out is a better burger and other places nearby have more filling and healthy options for less. 5 Guys is fast food, and I will judge it by fast food price points. At $7.50 and up, I can find a sit-down restaurant or pub with a tastier burger experience. Furthermore, assuming I do feel like paying $7.50 for a fast-food burger, I can walk an additional couple of blocks to Brgr on 26th St & 7th Ave, where they have a gourmet, grass-fed burger for the same price.
Well, it's interesting how people feel about this.
I remember 20 years ago thinking that Starbucks wouldn't be very successful because people wouldn't be willing to pay a lot more money for a little better cup of coffee (and, honestly, Starbucks coffee wasn't usually so great). But obviously there is a segment of the population that doesn't mind the extra money for a little "luxury" on what is still an affordable item.
With rare exception, I don't pay a lot of money for fast food burgers. I actually think the McDouble at McDonalds is an astonishing value at a buck. I know folks like to find fault with McDonalds' food, but it's a tasty burger. The Double Stack at Wendy's -- also usually about a buck -- is an even better burger.
So why should I pay 5 bucks to eat a fast food burger when I can pay a buck? For $5, I'll eat something else (after all, how many burgers can you eat?). I've always thought that the worst business to get into was the fast food burger business because McDonalds does a good job and they are so darn cheap. Who could compete with that?
That said, when I am in an In-n-Out locale, I will choose them over McDonalds if I want a burger. Of course, the surcharge at In-n-Out is very modest. If it were 4 bucks, I'd stick with McDonalds or Wendys.