A little over a decade ago I was a pizza dude. I remember getting off work at about 11pm and craving pretty much anything but pizza, so every so often I’d stop through McDonald’s on my way home since they were pretty much the only place open, fork over about 5 bucks from my night’s tips, and get a couple McChicken and/or mcdoubles, fries, and a drink, and get change back.

That same order now costs over $10.

I think I remember back then that I averaged out to a bit over $10/hour after figuring in tips. I’m no longer a pizza dude and I’m making a bit over $30, so I’ve beaten the McDonald’s inflation rate by a bit and can afford to spring for it if I find myself really craving it, but everything else has also gotten more expensive and $10 isn’t as easy to justify for some junk food.

But your average pizza dude today probably hasn’t beaten that rate. They’re tipped employees so all the bullshit that comes with that means they’re probably still only making around $10/hour. I think there’s been a bit of a delivery boom since then so maybe they’re doing a little better than that but I doubt many are making the over $20/hour they’d need to be able to afford a late night McDonald’s snack with the same ease I used to be able to.

Also, at least around me, they’re not even open late anymore since COVID. I still work a weird night shift so that’s something else I’m up against. My only options when I get off work if I want a snack is gas station/convenience store food.