Forget about Michelin-starred restaurants, McDonald's should now be in the running for America's most luxurious dining experience, complete with soaring prices that could make even high-end eateries blush.
TikTok user Freddie Smith (@fmsmith319) recently took a dig at the ever-rising prices of Maccies' beloved menu items, focusing his spotlight on one standout culprit: the hash brown, now seemingly on a mission to achieve gold status in the realm of expensive indulgences.
Featuring in front of a screenshot of a CNN article delving into McDonald's customers' uproar over price hikes, Freddie kept up his tirade against the fast-food titan.
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The realtor from Orlando, US, known for his videos on inflation and the escalating costs of daily essentials, anticipated a wave of criticism from folks accusing him of 'complaining' and 'whining'.
Yet, he staunchly defended his stance, urging them to join in on the complaints because, let's face it, they've got every reason to gripe too.
"You know s**t's messed up when McDonald's is becoming a luxury in this country," Freddie raged. "One of those breakfast hash browns are three dollars now.
"You used to be able to get two double cheeseburgers and a McChicken for three dollars.
"People are going to comment and say 'you're complaining about McDonald's' and 'all you do is complain and whine'. But, when are you going to start complaining? That's a genuine question.
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"How much does a McDouble have to be before you go, 'this is a little bit ridiculous'?"
Thousands flooded the comments section of Freddie's video, echoing Freddie's sentiments and sharing their own experiences of noticing the price surge at McDonald's.
Nostalgia crept in as many reminisced about the good ol' days of cheaper Maccies' delights.
"Prices go up but quality keeps going down," said one TikTok user.
"The last time I ate McDonald's, a McDouble was $1. I will not pay more," said another.
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"I remember the hash browns being two for $1," one reflected.
McDonald's has been contacted for comment by LADbible.
Earlier this month, a man called Chris Luckhardt left everyone in disbelief when he discovered an abandoned McDonald's menu from 1994 in Alaska - some of the items advertised costing mere cents.
According to the Big Mac Index by the Economist, the price of the McDonald's staple has surged by 125 percent since 1996. Just in the past two years, it's jumped by six percent.
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In February, McDonald's reported a seven percent increase in profits, attributed to charging customers more for popular items like McMuffins, Big Macs, McNuggets, and fries. These profits are said to be a result of higher menu prices and reduced ingredient costs.
Featured Image Credit: Tiktok/@fmsmith319 / Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesTopics: McDonalds, Cost of Living, TikTok, Viral, Social Media