Wendy’s menu prices could increase by up to $1 during certain times of the day before returning to normal|Mike Mozart|CC BY 2.0
Wendy’s is about to shake things up with its new pricing strategy inspired by ticketing companies and ride-hailing apps.
The fast-food chain announced it would introduce Uber-like “dynamic pricing,” which means its menu items will cost more during its busiest times of the day.
So expect popular items like spicy chicken nuggets, Dave’s Single burgers, Frostys, and more to hit your wallet a bit harder during rush hour next year.
How much?
Prices could increase by up to $1 during certain times of the day before returning to normal, per the New York Post. The restaurants will utilize digital menu boards to adjust prices in real-time, enabling Wendy’s to capitalize on peak hours without incurring extra operational expenses.
CEO Kirk Tanner revealed the ambitious $20 million makeover plan, which involves outfitting US locations with flashy digital menu boards by next year.
That’s not all
Wendy’s is diving headfirst into the world of AI, boasting an AI drive-thru assistant with an impressive 86% success rate without human intervention.
Despite the potential benefits of these technological advancements, the price increases sparked concerns about potential consumer backlash and the ethics of dynamic pricing.