Earlier this year I came across a situation that I found most peculiar. Occasionally I like to get a sausage, egg, and cheese bagel from McDonald's. I usually go to the one that is closest, where it costs $2.67 for the sandwich. On one particular morning I was closer to a different location and was surprised to find myself paying $3.31 for the same item. This left me wondering why it costs 24% more for the same sandwich. The two stores are only about five miles apart. The one with the lower price is located in a commercial area near a mall, plazas, and right next to an interstate highway. The other is in a residential area and sits on a four lane highway. Based on their locations I would have expected the McDonald's with the lower price to be the one that charged more. Of course I still wouldn't expect such a substantial difference.

As I thought about this further, I realized there are several apartment complexes near the more expensive McDonald's that would be considered the low rent district. Considering this, it would just be another reason that this should be the store with the cheaper sandwich. I couldn't help but wonder if this was a case of corporate America taking advantage of the less fortunate. I have seen other corporate businesses that have higher prices in the more affluent areas, but this is the first time I've seen higher prices in the lower income areas. Maybe I'm just being cynical, but something just seems out of place here. Charging the higher price to those who can least afford it doesn't seem right. In fairness, I didn't do any research such as comparing the whole menu or questioning the manager, but below are the two receipts. Maybe there is a logical explanation, but the substantial difference leaves me wondering.