They've mostly lost me as a customer. Pre-Covid era, I used to buy fast food once or twice a week. Now, very rarely. But I've also got gastrointestinal issues that are worse so that is another issue.
McDonalds was barely worth their old prices, now not even close. They are the most tasteless product out there. Burger King slops too much sauce on it unless you remember to tell them to leave it dry, sauces on the side. Dairy Queen, you need a magnifying glass to see the "beef" patty, no flavor. These are my experiences within the past six months.
I won't patronize any restaurant establishment that pimps me for a tip in advance. Which happens at some take-out joints. The tip is about quality of service rendered; how can you know how it's gonna turn out if you tip before that's happened? As to fast food, what is the tip for anyway? They are only placing it on a counter, they usually aren't serving you at table. And if you omit a tip in advance, are they gonna spit into your food because you stiffed them?
I only recently discovered Popeye's, they make a basic sandwich that I like for about $5. A dry bun with a single but large batter fried chunk of white meat chicken in it. But the smell of burning cooking oil within a 150 feet of the place might turn some people off.
