McDonald's — Restaurant in Richmond

I do many reviews and needed to bring this to the general attention of consumers. I have had this occur to me on at least three other locations where a simple Egg McMuffin meal varied in pricing from one store to another.

On Thursday, July 3, 2025 at 10:14 a.m., I attended the McDonalds located at 7120 #3 Road in Richmond, BC and orderd my usual eat-in breakfast meal, a bacon egg mcmuffin, small coffee double / double and one hash brown. The total price without tax, $7.79 & with taxes, $8.18

The day before, Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 9:44 a.m., I attended the McDonalds located at 7230 Park Street, Mission, BC and ordered the exact same meal and the total price broken down was $4.39 for the meal and $1.00 for the small double / double coffee for a sub-total cost of $5.39 and with taxes added, $5.66

When you review the totals, the Richmond restaurant charged 45% more for the same food order. I was surprised and at the same time, angered by how a billion dollar brand name was taking advantage of the consumer.

When you make note of who the patrons are at this hour, most of them are pensioners, like myself and we all know what most pensioners make in a year!

I reached out to McDoanlds Canada and spoke with a customer service representative who after I explained my findings stated, the reason for this is because of the higher cost of operating one franchise to another. I was also informed that the franchise owner decide what they charge the consumer on their menu prices according to their operating costs.

While I was given a case number, I made it very clear that the price adjustment is in my opion, questionable and a form of price gouging and I do not agree with her assessment. I will say however, she was very pleasant to talk to and agreed with my frustration.

To be a franchise owner, you must have at least $500K in liquid assets, be able to put down an additional 25% to 40% of the total cost of the franchise additionally, and with non-borrwed funds to qualify as an owner. It should be noted that the actual cost of a McDonalds franchise fluctuates from a starting point of 1.4 Million to 2.9 Million depending upon the location of the franchise. The total price indicated includes the $45,000 franchise fee for each franchise.

My thought is that, what ever the food costs are, which is purchased by the franchise operator, they are the same for all McDonald restaurants franchise owners. The same applys with wages generally speaking, since they hire a younger generation just getting into the workplace aside from management wages.

Richmond, BC population 2025 - Approximateky 241, 375 Mission, BC population 2025 - Aproximately 48,265

With Richmonds population being 5 times more than Missions population, there should be no need to price gouge the consumer. So as far as McDonalds Canadas' customer representative making the "operating cost" statement, just doesn't add up to the real market penetration aspect of the geographic location of each restaurant.

Yes, the operating costs are higher, but so is the franchise operators profit margins.

I say shame on you for charging more for something that costs the same all around.

People deserve to be treated fairly no matter which McDonalds restaurant you attend. Business is for profit, but not at the cost being placed to the consumers.

Business owners are not poor as the cost to purchase a franchise is self-explanitory.

I've attached the two receipts for anyone to analysis....

This morning I went to this location to grab my breakfast via drive-thru. First of all, they got my order wrong at first, but at least the lady at the payment window fixed it for me when I got to the window, and I know that it needs time to remake the order so when they told me drive to "the front" and wait for my pick-up. I drove to the front of the entrance as it was supposed to be before the renovation. Then after waited 5minutes I realized they might not realize I am by the front entrance. Therefore, I walked in with my receipt, approached one of the ladies in white shirt (I assume she is one of the manager) and told her I ordered via drive-thru but since I parked the car in the front I went inside wanting to let her know I was not at the last window and asked her to help me check on the Mcwrap. She instantly interrupted my sentence and said: "after your order you need to wait, you don't just come up to the front". Then I said again that I ordered drive-thru and I parked my car instead, I asked if she could follow up on my McWrap. She said I should not have attitude when I am talking to her but it was actually her that is showing an attitude instead of...

We arrived at McDonald's after the Richmond Night Market since we - foolishly - didn't bring any cash with us. We were in lineup for the drive through for approximately 30 minutes before we got to the speaker. When we placed our order for milkshakes we were told they couldn't fulfill the order.

This was a minor inconvenience seeing as how we waited so long only to be told something that could have been advertised earlier, but what was really the icing on the cake was when we pulled up to the second window to pay for our subpar order. We weren't greeted with a "sorry for the wait, your order is...," or even a "hello, your total is..." When we pulled up the window was pulled open and the credit card machine was thrust inside the vehicle.

I would not recommend this McDonald's because of the customer service - or lack thereof - and would encourage you to stock your fridge with Ben and Jerry's, or some other ice cream product and then you won't have to worry about time being wasted, without apology.

As for the Richmond Night Market, you should bring cash and dogs...