A detailed investigation by a curious Torontonian has revealed significant and surprising price discrepancies for the same McDonald's menu items across different locations in the city, challenging the common assumption of uniform fast-food pricing.
The Investigation: From McFlurry Shock to Full-Blown Analysis
The project began after a Toronto resident, who uses the Reddit handle Agitated_Data2270, noticed they were paying more for a McFlurry at the Union Station McDonald's compared to one near their home. This observation, combined with a conversation about the soaring cost of McDoubles—now nearly $4 compared to a nostalgic $1.59—sparked a deep dive into the fast-food giant's pricing strategy.
The Redditor confirmed through an AI chatbot that "pricing was no longer meant to be consistent across locations." To verify this, they used the McDonald's app to compare prices for various items, meticulously changing the pickup location for each check. The investigation culminated in an elaborate, colour-coded spreadsheet shared on the Toronto subreddit on January 2, 2026.
Revealing the Data: Startling Markups and Inconsistent Patterns
The analysis compared nine Toronto restaurants, including outlets at Union Station, Dufferin Mall, 1168 St. Clair Ave. W., 356 Yonge St., and locations in Scarborough and North York. Menu items scrutinized ranged from Big Macs and Quarter Pounders to McNuggets, McFlurries, medium fries, and drinks.
While some items, like McDoubles, Junior Chickens, and vanilla cones, showed little to no variation, other products displayed price differences of 20 to 30 percent between locations. The researcher noted that the surprise wasn't just that some outlets were more expensive overall, but that different items were selectively priced higher or lower at different restaurants. Even the cost to upgrade an item to a combo meal varied inconsistently within a single location, depending on the main item chosen.
"Double cheeseburgers seem to be targeted with the highest combo upgrade costs," the Redditor detailed in their findings.
Public Reaction: Shock, Anger, and Admiration for the Effort
The revelation sparked strong reactions online. Many social media users expressed disbelief that prices could differ within the same chain. "Wait, the prices aren't the same everywhere??? Whaaat?," wrote one commenter. Another stated firmly, "This shouldn't be allowed. If it's a chain then the prices should be set by the chain." A more succinct user simply wrote, "McPisssed."
Others were impressed by the dedication behind the investigation. "This person deserves a quantitative research award. Wow," praised one user. Another joked about the dietary implications of such a deep menu analysis, writing, "Whoever did this chart needs to get their cholesterol tested asap."
The investigation highlights a growing trend of dynamic or location-based pricing in the fast-food industry, often influenced by factors like real estate costs, local demand, and operational expenses. For consumers, it underscores the potential savings from checking prices at different franchises, even within the same city, before ordering.
