America’s Inflation Impact on Fast Food Chains
In the US, rising inflation rates are causing concerns for fast food chains. January’s inflation numbers revealed an increase in the cost of raw materials and labor, which could lead to lower profits, reduced footfall, and higher expenses for these chains.
The Rising Cost of Eating Out
According to a report from Yahoo Finance, Americans may hesitate to dine out as the cost of eating out continues to rise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 5.1% increase in dining expenses compared to last year and a 0.5% increase from the previous month. This trend may encourage some consumers to cook at home more often instead of going to restaurants.
Challenges for Crypto-Friendly Fast Food Chains
Crypto-friendly fast food chains like KFC, Starbucks, and Subway could face challenges due to rising prices for raw materials. KFC experienced issues with high poultry prices, Starbucks saw a significant increase in Arabica coffee prices, and Subway faced pressure from rising costs of vegetables and bread.
Additionally, fast food chains with multiple locations will need to raise the minimum wage for employees, further impacting profitability and cash flow.
Impact on Crypto Transactions
Rising inflation could also affect crypto transactions in the restaurant industry. With customers already feeling the effects of reduced purchasing power, they may opt to pay with cash or cards instead of incurring additional fees associated with crypto transactions.
Furthermore, attracting low-income customers may become more challenging for fast food chains, potentially resulting in fewer customers using cryptocurrency as a payment method.