How to get the "elderly discount" in fast food restaurants?
Many fast food chains do provide special benefits for seniors (Seniors), but to be honest, these offers are not always clearly posted on the big ordering screen. In general, as long as you reach the threshold of 55 or 60 years old, you can often enjoy discounts ranging from 5% to 15% when you go to these mainstream fast food restaurants, or you can buy a cup of coffee or soda at a very cheap price. The most direct way to get these discounts is to simply ask when ordering: Do you have a senior discount? Even if it's not written on the menu, many shop assistants will manually help you lose some money.
When eating fast food in the United States, different brands and even different franchises of the same brand may have different policies. Some stores give you a 10% discount, while others give you a small drink. This article summarizes the discount logic of eight common brands, so that when you take your elders out for dinner or help your elders order food, you can have a sense of confidence and not spend too much money.
How to check specific menus and prices on this site
Because the price of fast food restaurants will fluctuate based on your city or even your specific street address, we recommend that you check the latest menu of the corresponding brand on this site before you leave. The operation is simple:
- Search directly on this site for the brand name you want to go to, such as McDonald's or Burger King.
- After entering the brand page, you will see a detailed classified menu, including staple foods, side foods, beverages, etc.
- Key points:Some brands will have a special Senior Menu category, where the portions are usually smaller and the prices are more people-friendly.
- If there is no special classification, you can go to the Beverages column to see it. The discounts for the elderly in many stores are actually Coffee or Tea for a few cents.
Click on a specific item and you will see the approximate price range. Although store rental and labor costs vary in different regions, the price difference is generally not too outrageous. If you find that the price of a store is ridiculously high, it is probably because it is open at an airport or in a scenic area.
What are the routines for elderly discounts from common brands?
Among these eight common brands, the preferential forms are quite varied, but the ordering strategy needs to be slightly modified. For example, at McDonald's, they usually don't discount you the entire set meal, but if you order a single cup of coffee, many stores will offer Senior Coffee prices, which is much cheaper than regular medium coffee. People like Burger King and Wendy's usually offer a 10% discount to customers over the age of 55, but you have to remember to proactively ask before paying. If you go to Taco Bell, regular customers can often get a free cold drink or get a discount.
For fast food chains that offer a la carte service, such as IHOP or Denny's, their approach is more straightforward: Print a 55+ Menu directly on the menu. The portions of food in this menu are smaller than those in the regular version. For example, a set meal of three pancakes may have two in the elderly version. This is quite considerate, because many elders really can't eat so much. Ordering this special menu not only saves money but also avoids waste. KFC and Subway prefer to let the franchisees decide for themselves. Some stores give discounts, while others send free snacks. You can understand by entering the store and looking at the notices near the checkout counter.
Small details that need to be paid attention to when ordering meals for elders
To order American fast food for the elderly, you can't just look at the cheap, but also pay attention to the portion and ingredients. The Regular size of many fast food restaurants is actually too big for elders. At this time, the options in the Senior Menu are very advantageous. If you don't have a specific option for the elderly, consider ordering Kid's Meal, which is usually just the right size and has all the burgers, fries and drinks you deserve. In addition, remember to pay attention to these points when ordering:
- Salt and sugar:Fast food is generally salty. If you're worried about your elders 'blood pressure, you can ask for Fries with no salt when ordering, or switch your sugary soda to Unsweetened Tea or Decaf Coffee.
- Adding costs:Although there is a discount for seniors, if you add extra bacon, cheese to your burger, or upgrade the side dish to onion rings, these all come at an extra cost. Sometimes the extra money is more than the discount you save.
- Taxes and tips:Fast food restaurants generally don't have to pay formal tips, but if you're going to a chain restaurant that's led (like IHOP), don't forget to factor taxes and tips into your budget. Prices on the menu are usually tax-free.
One last tip
To be honest, although these discounts may only save one or two yuan per meal, a little adds up to a lot, which is a considerable expense for people who often eat out. Since the preferential policies of fast food restaurants often change, or stores in some remote areas do not participate in activities, the safest way is to directly open the corresponding brand page of this site. You can check what the latest Senior Menu contains and see if there are any new seasonal packages. If you find that the price of a certain store has changed, you can also refer to the latest updates in the station, so that you can be aware of it when ordering food.
