Fast food fans have been sounding off over on Reddit for quite a while about perceived shrinkflation affecting fast food items—and most recently, the shrinkflaction accusation hit the “Live Más” crew over at Taco Bell.
One post on the subreddit r/TacoBell complained that, “Feels like every time I order, things are shrinking.” Attached to the post was a picture of a very meager-looking cup of Nacho Fries, along with some sauces.
Feels like every time I order, things are shrinking.
by u/ihaz-candy in tacobell
Fans Protest Perceived Shrinkflation: 'Taco Bell Isn't Worth My Time Anymore'
Almost all of the comments on u/ihaz-candy's post were in agreement with the original poster, and many commenters chimed in with their own negative experiences at the fast food chain as of late:
Comment by u/ScrantonStrangler209 from discussion Feels like every time I order, things are shrinking. in tacobell
Comment by u/TheS00thSayer from discussion Feels like every time I order, things are shrinking. in tacobell
Comment by u/pirateslifefourme from discussion Feels like every time I order, things are shrinking. in tacobell
Many commenters also noted that, in their opinion, they were better off spending their money on local food they perceived to be fresher and of higher quality, rather than comparable prices at Taco Bell:
Comment by u/Dregulos from discussion Feels like every time I order, things are shrinking. in tacobell
Comment by u/Legalizegayranch from discussion Feels like every time I order, things are shrinking. in tacobell
Rising Price Complaints Also Hit Taco Bell
Shrinkflation isn't the only recent complaint fans have had with their Taco Bell orders—many customers are also complaining that prices have gone up though portions are perceived to have gone down. Twitter has noted recent price increases, and there was well users are commenting that for the price, they may as well go for a restaurant order rather than fast food for their meals.
Taco Bell is no longer for the poor. The price increase and the size decrease in tacos is disgusting.
— ky (@vkylienicole) April 23, 2023
Yes, here in Houston, you can go to taco trucks and the food is so much better anyways. Taco Bell has gotten ridiculous. They think they are a restaurant and not fast food.
— WompWomp Womp (@wompwomp_womp) May 20, 2023
MarketScale reports that supply chain uncertainty and wage battles have lead to an increase in fast food prices across the board, including at popular chains like Wendy's, McDonalds, and Burger King, as well as, of course, Taco Bell itself.
In December 2022, "the average price for a menu item at Taco Bell sits at $3.37, up 14.6% from last year." At this point in 2023, prices are up over 15% on average, making it third on the list under Wendy's and Chick-Fil-A.
