McDonald’s, once synonymous with affordable, fast food, is facing the wrath of customers over soaring prices. Christopher Olive, a TikTok influencer with a substantial following, expressed his dismay after being charged a staggering $16 for a burger, fries, and a drink.

In a video posted last December, Olive cited factors like labor shortages and wage increases but deemed the $16 price tag “crazy.” (Check out the video at the end of this article.)

The video quickly went viral, with McDonald’s subsequently reporting a 14% revenue increase to $6.69 billion. Commenters echoed Olive’s frustration, lamenting the disappearance of McDonald’s as a budget-friendly option.

Some criticized the company for capitalizing on current economic conditions, stating, “Companies know they can get these prices now, so they’ll never go back.” Another person wrote: “They could easily eat those costs but they know people will still pay.” Many others agreed, too: “It’s officially not convenient or affordable anymore.”

Despite the backlash, some defended McDonald’s, suggesting Olive was perhaps leaving out that he had chosen the most expensive meal on the menu. Social media users advised him to download the McDonald’s app, claiming meals could be enjoyed for under $6.

Olive’s video garnered over 600,000 views and sparked a larger conversation about affordability in fast-food chains.

Olive isn’t the sole dissatisfied customer; Anne Arroyo from Ohio criticized McDonald’s for its recent “out-of-hand” price hikes. In a video viewed over 300,000 times, she revealed that items on the advertised “dollar menu” were priced above $1. Soft drinks and iced tea were listed at $1.29, while iced coffee and frozen beverages were priced at $2.

As McDonald’s grapples with evolving consumer expectations, the debate over pricing and value for money continues, influencing both public perception and the company’s financial success.