Ten McDonald’s Restaurants in Chicago Test Automated Drive-Thru Ordering

I may have to try one of each this week and compare.  Maybe try a couple more places also.  I hear folks rave about Fiveguys and Smashburger — I cannot even remember going to one of those at all.  

I know some of the smaller places are supposed to be good.  I even heard Dick’s or Dick’s Burgers up your way in Oregon are supposed to be good.  

Pretty cool some of the chili, barbecue, steak places that they rank in the different areas.  I have seen some before on who has the best hotdogs, etc.  

So, I am sure there are some good hamburger joints all over as well.

@Raiders22

 You're comparing an In n Out Double to a McDonald's Double which is your mistake. The McDonald's Cheeseburger/Double are lower tier value items in their own right. You have to compare it to a premium burger like a quarter pounder, Big Mac, etc. Also In n Out has one size of frie comparable to a medium/large but priced like the McDonald's small. The only thing cheaper at McD is a soda. Soda is a cheap product. The cup is the most expensive part.

@StumpTownStu

I think maybe you're posting googles suggest retail and not what prices are in actual restaurants. Then you're saying, "Well, there's a value menu and you can get a burger for a buck." I'm telling you that for comparable items, the only thing cheaper at McDonald's is soda.

Comparable products, similar servings of fries, units of beef, etc, it's not even close. And moat would agree that In n Oit is better quality, which was my point. Is better for cheaper.

What are you saying? Hamburger is not same as hamburger at both?  One simple patty and buns?  Cheeseburger is not same at both?  Just add cheese to patty?

Like I said I cannot talk about the combos or the specialty burgers — I do not know their weights or sizes, whether they are exactly the same or not.  

If I go to one and ask for a hamburger only — it certainly seems one is cheaper by a large percentage.  

And of course one offers way more options on their Dollar Menu. 

I do not know exact size of sodas — but assume a small is a small and a large is a large at both places 8oz and 16oz or whatever. 

But nearly everyone GETS a soda at EVERY meal I would imagine. That adds up. 

Again, I defer to you in the taste of fast food burgers.  But that adds more to my point about the business models being totally different and, thus, cannot be compared fairly. 

One picks no expansion, better quality, more efficient processes.  The other obviously expands and provides world-wide service and more items. 

Mine has more than 3 times the profit margin than the other — yet the one with the lower profit margin is called corporate greed?  Does not make sense without looking more into why the one is able to pay more in wages. 

The billionaire owner of In-and-Out is not seen as corporate greed — but McDonald’s is totally seen that way, yet are the most recognized and used QSR ever?

I went right online and looked at two relatively close places and their current prices for hamburger, cheeseburger, and soda.  

You can not dismiss dollar menu out-of-hand either when looking at value. 

But I am sure you are right about quality and experience.  

Then profit margin would have to be explained COMPLETELY in other areas — fewer personnel, more efficient advertising, etc.  The analysis just doesn’t show that to be the case totally. 

I think the disconnect is that online prices seem to be suggested retail and not what restaurants are actually charging. When I go out in a bit, i'll stop at McD for coffee and do a little recon.i know In n Out's prices by heart but as I said, I don't eat McD very often.

Also, what you are doing is the same as saying, "BMW is significantly cheaper than Mercedes Benz." And when someone disagrees you compare the price of a GLE 63 S coupe to a 325i. And when someone points out the flaw in said reasoning you say, "Aren't all cars the same? For wheels, engine..." You may not eat McDonald's but you've heard of a damn Big Mac. A Quarter Pounder. You purposely chose a value item because it suited your argument. You didn't even list the price of fries because you probably googled it and it refuted your argument. No too burgers are the same but if we are to compare, you should at least make an attempt by listing burgers with comparable beef content, caloric content, and overall mass. Based on these parameters, the comparison is an In n Out double double to that of a Big Mac or Quarter Pounder with cheese, which are both more expensive.

Quality is somewhat subjective. In n Out uses freah lettuce, tomato, and onion. McD uses bag shredded lettuce, processed onions, and doesn't include tomato on most burgers. I'm sure you can request but some people don't even like these things. So when I said better quality, I was speaking purely of the quality of the beef.

And I know that we're getting off into the weeds here. In n Out's business model isn't for everyone but they their employees more and the food is less. They feel a position in the market as does McD. As you said, McD's are franchises. I'm not sure about In N Out but that alone is a huge amount of overhead. McDs clearly spends more on advertising. I've never seen an In N Out commercial or an ad in a magazine and i'm a native Californian. There's a lot to unpack of why In N Out may be more profitable but it certainly isn't because it's more expensive. Shake Shack is more expensive. 5 Guys is more expensive. In N Out is pretty cheap.

No sir.  I did not choose a Big Mac BECAUSE I wanted to compare a CERTAIN BURGER at each place.  I do NOT know what is EXACTLY comparable to a Big Mac.  A simple hamburger is what I chose and a simple drink.  I could not even choose a simple fry or combo because I do NOT know the exact sizing.  AND that site is SUPPOSED to show current prices at various locations for various restaurants.  AND it should NOT matter if it is suggested retail because they should NOT deviate that much percentage-wise to make the simple burger and soda to make the price completely opposite for each place, at least that would be weird if it did.

But, if you think they are THAT much cheaper than McDonald's THEN their has to be a very good reason(s) that explain the other disparities in the profit margin -- which is HUGE!

But for sure let me know what you find out today in your area.  Just make sure it is completely comparable.  Simple hamburger, simple cheeseburger, same size (ounces) soda, same size fries.  NOT a combo or specialty hamburger, etc.

I do like McDonald's coffee! 

@Raiders22

 Ok, i'm back from my field trip and i've got the straight dope. A double double from In N Out costs $4.15, up recently from $3.95. A Big Mac costs $4.59 and a Quarter Pounder with Cheese costs 4.69. Fries come in one size at In N Out, slightly bigger than a McDonald's medium while costing the same (less until recently) of a McDonald's small. From a macro standpoint, a double double has more protein than both, even though a Quarter Pounder has the same starting beef weight which makes me believe that they are either using fillers or a beef ratio of higher fat content than the optimal 80/20. My guess is fillers. And while toppings are subjective, like I mentioned, In N Out uses fresh lettuce, tomato, and onion. The fries, while better tasting at McD, are fresh cut at In N Out.

Like I said, better quality at a cheaper price while paying their employees better. The only thing cheaper at McDonald's is soda. And I rarely drink soda and when I do, it's Mexican Coke.

I chose a Double Double from In N Out and both a Big Mac and Quarter Pounder w/cheese from McDonald's because they are each franchises flagship burgers and comparable by all metrics including unit size, caloric content, and macro nutrients. The biggest measurable for me in a burger is protein content and In N Out exceeds both for less money. More protein. Better protein, which is somewhat subjective, but you would be hard pressed to find someone that doesn't agree that In N Out beef is far Superior. Fresher ingredients.

Just called the McDonald's on Central  

Hamburger 1.89

Cheeseburger 2.05

Small Fries 2.05

Any soda 1.00

Called In-and Out on Ventura

Hamburger 3.02 with tax

Cheeseburger 3.34

one-size only fries 2.16

soda 1.89

Just saw this post after I called.  I do not dispute the wages or taste.  But I question hamburger for hamburger comparison NOT Big Mac for Double-Double.  I wanted a solid -- as exact as possible --- so just called and asked for only hamburger and only cheeseburger. Still the same result.

If you went why not check on simple burger as well?

How was coffee?  I am coffee 'connoisseur' and I like their coffee even better than others that folks rank higher.

Gotcha   -- makes sense   their big sellers I figure as well.  Could care less about the quality or taste or experience.  That is not their reasons for out-selling everyone else in sight.  More folks around the world eat there AND it is NOT because it is MORE expensive and for sure NOT because of the quality or the taste -- all the studies show that, of course.

But their margins are not even close AND they make money off of sales and by quantity  -- yet, In-and_out can afford to pay more and still maintain 3 times the profit margin!

So, my point is still the same -- it is NOT corporate greed on their part.  If anything McDonald's will be 'forced' to try automatons to try to maintain their SMALLER profit margins.  The corporate greed should be seen more on In-and-Out side.  But we give them a pass BECAUSE they can afford to pay more AND the burger tastes better.

See my issue with just using the phrase 'corporate greed' blindly or all-encompassing?

At any rate   ---good discussion and I see your points.

I will make a point of trying some hamburgers soon from these places 

@Raiders22

 I don't know if this is shtick or if you're being deliberately obtuse to avoid admitting you are wrong. (You're a lawyer, huh?) The comparison you are making is invalid. McDonald's has several "burgers". The regular "hamburger" and "cheeseburger" are "value" items. It's what the put in kid's meals. Happy meals. In N Out doesn't have a value burger. A kid's menu. I gave you a comparison of equivalent burgers based on base size, macro nutrient weight, and caloric content.

Definitely better than Starbuck's. Their blonde is good but I don't care for their standard Pike's Place. I'm kind of a coffee snob and mostly brew my own though I like a chain here called the Human Bean.

@StumpTownStu

Nah. I don’t know the details of each individual hamburger.  I figure the easiest, whether it is a value or not, is the outright plain hamburger or the outright plain cheeseburger.  

So, to me, this is the only valid comparison at every single hamburger joint in the world — a hamburger is a hamburger is a hamburger.  When you start adding all the extras and sauces — I get there will be big differences. 

Who knows if the exact amount of onions, sauces, pickles, jalapeños, etc. are even on both types of ‘exotic’ hamburgers.

I think it is dicey to compare the flagship things because I do not have any idea at all if they are an absolute even comparison or not. 

A soda is a soda. 

Not a matter of being right or wrong — simply more into the actual numbers and details.  These have to add up to me.  So when I looked up a simple hamburger at both and then called two places for in-store prices on a simple burger, fries, and soda — seemed pretty straightforward to me. 

I get with all the individual items one has and the other doesn’t have it makes a difference.  I also understand with the more ‘exotic’ hamburgers at each there will be differences.  

Perhaps, the one sells the majority of ‘flagship’ items and make it up on quantity; perhaps, the other makes it up on the various detailed items, etc. 

But, nah. Never have a problem saying I was wrong — if the numbers or data show it.  

I’m a simple coffee guy.  Strong, tall, and black!

I want to taste just my coffee. 

The schooling and training are there.  But, alas, greater and greater opportunities kept presenting themselves. 

But I thought I might’ve initially been mixing them up with Carl’s or WhataBurger.   

But went back and read the article.  It was mainly a discussion on best stocks to get in during the shutdowns.  One of the guy had mentioned Walmart and another takeout and McDonald’s (because folks could not go out to eat).

Then the discussion evolved/devolved into best hamburger and of course, the wage thing came up.  

The guy had all his prep work done.  He loved MCD stock and was detailed about why In-and-Out could pay employees more, stayed private etc.  

But, for now, I take your word on all the other items.  But, I see basic stuff and their prices and have to wonder.  Maybe I get bored and look more into it and their margins, etc. 

Buy a Happy Meal , get a bulletproof vest , double digit deaths in less than seven seconds what’s next ?

Chicago the MurderDome , not enough dirt or holes for the multitude of bullet riddled corpses

Enormous violence reported , wildin’ , storms in  Illinois’ killin’ villains and innocents alike

grab a milkshake , spill your Sprite , what a silly life , 

contempt , I’ve grown cynical 

yet its so simple ,

except bitcches fret “ I said no pickles ! “

Fuccking disgusting , is nothing sacred ? “ Gimme the double with Bacon “ , elated your stomach just ate it

flatulence , despair , it’s hardly a shock , thick and fat on a chair snacking on a Big Mac , arteries clogged

i have a certain slander for Colonel Sanders , and problems I got em with Ronald McDonald , and ain’t no Taco need a Bell , cheesy Gordita I’ll see you in hell

Christ Almighty it’s all too unsightly 

Motherfucckin’ ball pits fulla lil kids pisss n shitt it’s all sick , gristle and salt mixed with pig sphincters I saw it

now eat it

as the deceased reach astronomical proportions 

Can’t believe you feast on that rabbit vomit and horse skin....

I'm the exact same way! My wife says I drink coffee that'll put hair on your chest. It's rocket fuel. I tend towards lighter roasts that lack the smooth flavor and finish of darker roasts but have higher caffeine content. I used to not be so into it until I got into fasting. Coffee is a faster's best friend. And like you, because I drink it black, the flavor of the actual coffee matters. Nothing to hide behind.

As far as burgers, I wasn't so much accounting for toppings, even though these things matter when valuing a burger. Not so much condiments but things like the quality of the cheese, if there is lettuce, tomato, onion, etc. However, the comparison I was making is of burgers with similar beef content and finished volume, and caloric content. Even size for even size. Beef for beef. I even used the In N Out burger w/out special sauce, which adds calories, to be fair.

ok

I follow you around to read your raps ..