McDonald’s Can’t Even Sell Breakfast (Something’s VERY Wrong)

Aug 11, 2025

Fast-food giants like McDonald's and Wendy's are grappling with declining breakfast sales as economic pressures mount. With more consumers skipping meals, credit card usage shows alarming drops, hinting at broader economic distress. The discussion deepens around the labor market's health and the enduring value of gold amidst these challenges. Federal Reserve officials are torn on interest rate cuts, revealing a disconnect between their optimistic messages and troubling economic signals. This combo of insights paints a vivid picture of today's financial landscape.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Fast-Food Breakfasts Are Dropping

McDonald's and Wendy's report steep declines in breakfast sales.
Jeff Snider says many customers are skipping breakfast or meals entirely due to low income.

INSIGHT

Revolving Credit Is Falling

Revolving consumer credit fell for two straight months through June.
Jeff Snider links that drop closely to labor-market weakness and spending pullback.

INSIGHT

Price Hikes Cost Fast-Food Volume

Wendy's raised prices and saw foot traffic fall, hurting visits.
Jeff Snider says small price increases can sacrifice volume despite higher spend per visit.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

I’m excited to share something I’ve negotiated for you guys: you can now get a Glint Card for FREE (normally $10) just by registering with my code ‘SNIDER’ or filling out the form on the page I’ve linked below.
All the details and more about Glint are at https://partner.glintpay.com/eurodollar/. Don’t miss out!

Both McDonald's and Wendy's reported this past week that more Americans are skipping breakfast, not for some health fad but increasingly harsh economic circumstances. That view was further corroborated by the Fed which showed credit card usage fell again for the second straight time, a critical cyclical signal confirming the swing in the consumer economy. So, another Fed official tilts toward rate cuts.

Eurodollar University's Money & Macro Analysis

Bloomberg Fast-Food Breakfast Sales Fade as Diners Eat at Home, Skip Meals
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-08/fast-food-breakfast-sales-fade-as-diners-eat-at-home-skip-meals

Reuters Fed's Musalem: There are risks now to both the inflation and jobs goals
https://www.reuters.com/business/feds-musalem-there-are-risks-now-both-inflation-jobs-goals-2025-08-08/

https://www.eurodollar.university
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffSnider_EDU

This video was sponsored by Glint. Graphic representations of value are for illustrative purposes only. The Glint Debit card is issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. The sale, purchase and storage of precious metals are offered by Glint, and not Sutton Bank.

Your investment in precious metals through Glint is:
-Not insured by the FDIC.
-Not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by, Sutton Bank.
-Subject to investment risks, including the possible risk of loss of the principal amount invested.

All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. The value of precious metals is affected by many economic factors, including but not limited to the current market price, demand, perceived scarcity, and quality of the precious metal. Precious metals can increase or decrease in value. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. As such, investing in precious metals may not be suitable for everyone.

Glint Pay Inc. is a U.S. based authorized Card Program Manager, not a bank. Banking services are provided by our partner Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Glint Pay Inc. employs effective Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT), and fraud prevention systems and controls to mitigate and combat risks.