At the moment, I'm working walking distance from a fast food hub and have been sampling around during lunch hours and things. Even during rush, it's one person at the counter. It seems the expectation is either to order using their mobile app on the phone (which is incentivized with rewards programs and special deals) or using the touch kiosks in store.
So typically you see one person in front handing out food or taking the cash orders, one person in the drive thru, and then three or four people in the kitchen.
Yes, I remember my teen years at McD's, too. Five of us in the kitchen, two to three up front, two working the drive thru, then the shift manager who floated around doing this and that.
Those days are over as customer service is streamlined and automated. It's the same at places like Safeway. They'll have one or two actual checkouts manned by cashiers open, while easily half the customers go through the self-checkout area. Same at Target. Same at CVS.
As far as price goes, it is significantly more expensive than pre-pandemic. No doubt about that one. I typically just get whatever deal is happening. A $2.50 McMuffin the other day and a $2 double taco at Taco Bell yesterday. Things like that. Full meals that used to be $5 are frequently in the $10-12 range.
If you really want some sticker shock, go to a Subway and see how much a footlong is going for. There's one next to a mom and pop deli by my house we like. The deli will give you this massive chicken shwarma or gyros plate dinner for $13. The bag's heavier than a bowling ball, I swear. Amazing food, easily broken into two or three meals.
Cheaper than the Subway next door. I legitimately do not know why anyone goes there.
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