Comments for Dairy Queen's Recession Friendly Sweet Deal Menu Costs More

Dairy Queen's Recession Friendly Sweet Deal Menu Costs More

2009-02-12T22:11:00Z

Starting next month, you might see TV spots advertising Dairy Queen's new "Sweet Deal" menu, which is supposed to be a value-priced alternative to their regular menu. They're already rolling it out, and at least one item on the menu will actually cost you about 8% more than it used to.

Here's what AJ found yesterday:

Forsyth, GA has very few places to eat. When I don't bring my lunch, I end up having to eat at the same places over and over again, and many of them are fast food. So, typically, I tried to find something that I can at least pretend is a bit healthier, like grilled chicken wraps.

Yesterday, I went by Dairy Queen and ordered two grilled chicken wraps. The chicken wraps are $1.39. However, they also happen to be on Dairy Queen's "Sweet Deal" menu, a promotion which I was unaware of. (I hadn't really looked at the promotional poster. I knew exactly what I wanted.)

With the Sweet Deal, you get any two items for $3.00. So, of course, Dairy Queen charged me $3.00 for two $1.39 chicken wraps. I didn't even notice until they handed me the receipt and I had driven off.

(Photo: KellyK)

Comment from edkohler on 2009-02-17

2009-02-17T21:09:14Z

I was at a marketing conference in Minneapolis where the head of marketing at DQ explained that they market tested the plan they rolled out against other deal menu scenarios. One other that was tested was a straight dollar menu but people actually preferred this "the more you pay the more you save" style menu even though you'll ALWAYS pay more than you would have with a dollar menu.

Comment from WorldHarmony on 2009-02-14

2009-02-14T06:42:02Z

OK, he went the first time at lunch and saw how he'd been "cheated," so to double-check he went back after work and bought his usual. But since he'd already had a regular Coke he decided to go the healthier route and get diet this time.

(We are too funny to be analyzing this. But I had nothing better to do this evening.)

@working class Zer0:

Comment from Stephanie Sherman Freeman on 2009-02-14

2009-02-14T06:07:39Z

If it was a chicken wrap 'combo' (wrap & soda deal) that was purchased on the initial order, then a lot of times fast food places (I'm thinking McDonalds) will have you use a 'combo' button, which makes the food portion cost less, but then also have you ring in the soda, which comes up at full price. Perhaps a stand-alone chicken wrap really isn't $1.39?

Comment from ViperBorg on 2009-02-13

2009-02-14T02:54:19Z

@ScottRose: Your right. Quote fail.

Comment from 420greg on 2009-02-13

2009-02-13T21:13:05Z

They do this at Checkers/Rally's also.

A Bacon Buford is 2.39, but you can get 2 for $5 on Special.

Comment from Wooglin on 2009-02-13

2009-02-13T20:54:07Z

MMD is correct. The price on the menu for one grilled wrap was $1.39. I specifically ordered two of them. I did not order the Sweet Deal. As I mentioned, the Sweet Deal was on a promotional poster that was beside the menu. Perhaps I should have read it, but I most certainly didn't order it. It was coincidence that my item happened to be one of the items in the Sweet Deal, and that I ordered two of them. The cashier took it upon themselves to automatically give me the Sweet Deal which increased the cost.

Comment from Youdont Knowme on 2009-02-13

2009-02-13T13:27:48Z

Now I want Dairy Queen. Damnit. The one closest to me, is in a mall 10 miles away that charge 5 bucks for a small cone.

~chocolate dipped chocolate, how I dream of you~

Comment from venomroses on 2009-02-13

2009-02-13T12:44:33Z

@venomroses: I just remembered that here a chicken wrap is 1.79 (Canadian). So here, its not an increase in price at all.

But still a pretty good deal for everything else on both side of the border.

Comment from venomroses on 2009-02-13

2009-02-13T12:32:02Z

There are nine items in the sweet deals menu: chicken wrap, small sundae, small dipped cone, onion rings, regular fries, cheeseburger, small salad, medium pop, and a hot dog.
I believe that the chicken wrap is the only one that this happens to.(Possibly the salad as well) But overall the menu is a pretty good deal. You can get a cheeseburger meal cheaper through sweet deals than if you ordered it off the regular menu. Even better if you wanted onion rings instead of fries. (Costs extra to get rings). Or you don't want fries and want a sundae instead? Still only 4$, where as you buy them each separately, they are over 6$.
I heard from my manager that there was quite a brooha when dqcorp showed this idea to the operators at the annual meeting.

Comment from ShinGetterPoPo on 2009-02-13

2009-02-13T09:56:17Z

In a way, going back to the restaurant makes 100% sense. That way later he can ask a manager about it with written proof. Likely, this will make the manager raise the price of the grill thingy, but still@Jage:

Comment from annexw on 2009-02-13

2009-02-13T09:06:45Z

@kwsventures:
I do not think that means what you think it means.

Comment from MMD on 2009-02-13

2009-02-13T07:13:55Z

@nighttrain2007: But it is every consumer's right to be dealt with truthfully. The OP didn't order the "sweet deal" by name. He ordered two chicken wraps but was overcharged for the "sweet deal" without his consent.

Comment from nighttrain2007 on 2009-02-13

2009-02-13T05:52:38Z

@floraposte: >>I think it's reasonable and sensible to pay attention to how much money they're charging me.

So you think it's your right to tell a company what they should charge? Do you own the company? Common sense would tell you to look at the menu and figure it the best deal on your own. Course that would require personal responsibility and Lord knows we can't have that in this country

Comment from ScottRose on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T04:47:39Z

@ViperBorg - Facebook is the new AOL.:

I thought it took 4 hours..

Comment from ScottRose on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T04:46:23Z

@Jage: I was thinking he went back just to get proof of the price difference so that he could send it to Consumerist.

Both receipts are reprints. (Though I don't know why the second one would need to be under my scenario.. hmm..)

Comment from floraposte on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T04:16:13Z

@nighttrain2007: See, and I'd say the only time you don't need to worry about what a place charges is when you don't shop there. When I spend my money at a place, I think it's reasonable and sensible to pay attention to how much money they're charging me.

Comment from floraposte on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T04:09:46Z

@Dan Grossberg: See, then it's funny :).

Comment from floraposte on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T04:09:24Z

@Oranges w/ Cheese: And I don't get why that makes anybody boggle. It's a sugar-free cola, not a lifestyle commitment. Why should somebody add on more sugar if they don't like it? What does it have to do with what else they buy, or ate for breakfast, or snarfed last week? I don't see why it's any more contradictory than calorie-free black coffee or water (my usual order).

Comment from Consumerist-Moderator-Roz on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T02:55:02Z

Folks, let's keep the thread on topic.

- Nitpicking the OP's order: not on topic.
- Continuing the stealing-soda hijack: not on topic.

Please keep this in mind before you post your comment. Thank you.

Comment from Dan Grossberg on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T02:53:30Z

@sapere_aude:

I guess I should've clarified. I'm talking about those who ask to hold them whip and say something to the effect "i'm on a diet"

Comment from sapere_aude on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T01:38:09Z

@Dan Grossberg: I hold the whip on drinks. But only because I prefer them without it. What pisses me off is when they assume its because I'm trying to go "light" and they make the drink with skim milk. Disgusting. Guess its no big deal since I rarely buy coffee out anymore.

Comment from nighttrain2007 on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T01:07:19Z

So DQ should be nicked because the orderer chose something he knew was cheaper in another fashion? The horrors!!! What can be done? Perhaps a Senate investigation (since apparently any attempt of a company making a bit of profit at the expense of no one else except the person not paying attention should be against the law to some)

I say AJ deal with it, accept he/she learned their lesson, and not worry what DQ charges for their services unless he chooses to eat elsewhere (course I imagine he can write in about the 'slight' he felt when Arby's charges him 5 cents over...)

Comment from working class Zer0 on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T01:02:58Z

@Jage: Look again, he bought a diet Coke on his second visit...that cancels out the 2nd chicken wrap.;)

Comment from rworne on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T01:02:29Z

Yeah, Arby's does the same thing. They have a "Pick 3 for $5" menu. Fries, drink & sandwich for $5 + tax, or you could order a combo with the same fries, drink and sandwich for $.70+ more.

I aksed them what the difference was, and the cashier shrugged and said "Just the price".

Comment from TVarmy on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T01:00:29Z

@Patrick Mcgranaghan: This is not so much a price hike on their food as one of those bad two
for one deals found in big box stores.

Comment from Oranges w/ Cheese on the move on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T00:32:44Z

@floraposte: If that doesn't seem absurd, what about the people who order a tub of popcorn laden with butter-flavored sunflower oil, and then order the bypass-sized Diet Coke to go with.

*boggles*

Comment from Pumapayam on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T00:29:31Z

@tankertodd:
Averaging a Diet and Regular Coke = C2 silly.

Comment from SuperiorInky on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T00:29:21Z

@B: "Hot Eats! Cool Treats!" I do believe that was the old phrase DQ used. Personally,I find their burgers and fries to be very delicious.

Comment from RogueSophist on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T00:24:02Z

@theblackdog: When I worked at Taco Bell (my first job!), I would casually stroll up to them as they were doing it and say, pointedly, "how's that water treating ya?"

A third would sheepishly pour out the soda, a third would tell me to screw off, and the final third would look straight into my eyes and reply, "Just fine, thanks."

Comment from closed_account on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T00:17:56Z

I would comment but it would blame the OP.

Comment from savdavid on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T00:16:53Z

This reminds me of Walgreens. On ANY day you will send, let's say 3 Right Guards for $6.00 SALE! What you may not notice is if you get one it will cost you $3.50 or if you buy 2 it will cost you $7.00. Remember to read the fine print. They don't work like most grocery stores. If Kroger says 3 Right Guards for $6.00 then buying just 1 will cost you $2.00.
Walgreens counts on this confusion and training to shaft its customers.

Comment from bbagdan on 2009-02-12

2009-02-13T00:05:47Z

@James Johnston:

Or, medium coffee $1.40.

Small coffee and a muffin $1.39

Comment from tankertodd on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:58:33Z

Either way these two wraps together STILL cost less than a single pretentious Starbuck's.

I like how the receipts show a diet coke in the afternoon and a regular coke in the evening. What caused the poster to fall off their diet wagon?

Comment from Jage on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:48:22Z

@calquist: @calquist: @B: Well, it started when they bought or merged with Brazier, who makes fast food.

Then, they started to offer a variety of fast food with ice cream treats in order to, probably, broaden their profit margin, gain more customers, and, above all, make more money.

That is, usually, why businesses sell products to consumers.

Comment from concordia on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:41:15Z

@balthisar: Don't forget that Texas Dairy Queens have their logo in the shape of Texas on their cups.

Comment from ViperBorg on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:40:09Z

@Patrick Mcgranaghan:
Homer: "Okay, start the presses!"
Editor: "That takes twelve hours!"
Homer: "Whatever, I'll be at Moe's."

Comment from B on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:36:35Z

Dairy Queen sells things that aren't blizzards? Why?

Comment from Pumapayam on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:32:42Z

@James Johnston:

What's today, "Bad Math Day?

4pc nugget = 1.29 (roughly 32 cents a nugget)
6pc nugget = 2.29 (roughly 38 cents a nugget)

Comment from LuluStarPony on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:30:50Z

@raptorrapture: Yeah, but zero is still zero no matter how many gallons you drink.

Comment from jscott73 on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:27:55Z

@raptorrapture: You do realize that a large diet coke has the same amount of calories as a small diet coke, which is 0.

Comment from James Johnston on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:27:18Z

This is just like McDonalds:

4pc nugget = 1.29 (roughly 30cents a nugget)
6pc nugget = 2.29 (roughly 38cents a nugget)

Comment from Anonymous on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:26:49Z

Hey, guys. The second receipt is one that I went back and requested them to produce for me so that I could send them both to the Consumerist to demonstrate that the Sweet Deal cost more money. Incidentally, the grilled wrap is about 210 calories and even less if you get it w/o the ranch dressing. It has far more sodium than I would normally eat, but I actually run low-sodium, typically. It's not as though I was ordering a Hardee's Monster Burger and asking for a diet coke. -AJ

Comment from theblackdog on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:25:22Z

@scootinger: Just because they don't say anything right at that moment doesn't mean they don't care. At the place I worked at, we made mental notes on who would do that and if they came back, we would magically be "out" of water cups.

Comment from chrisjames on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:20:21Z

Could it just be a conflict between a national promotion (or even market test) and local pricing? How many items in this promotion are over $1.50? The POS system may not be set up to understand that the Sweet Deal may, for whatever reason, cost more than two individuals. It could be programmed to assume the promotion or combo is going to be the best deal, like most restaurant POS are, as it's often true that the deal is better value (moneywise, not healthwise).

And I'm sorry AJ's heart. I'm sorry AJ doesn't like you.

Comment from Pink Puppet on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:19:28Z

@scootinger: Whoa, hold up. Theft is now a viable savvy consumer tactic?

Comment from kwsventures on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:16:10Z

Bait and switch.

Comment from Snarkysnake on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:15:07Z

@HawkWolf:

"I'm feeling so snarky... "

Me Too...

Comment from Pumapayam on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:14:03Z

Actually, it's $0.11 man. Math is not your strong subject I see.

Comment from raptorrapture on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:12:27Z

You're going to pretend to eat healthy and yet you order a large Diet Coke? The "large" almost makes the "Diet" look like a joke...

Comment from floraposte on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:10:13Z

@Dan Grossberg: Those never seem particularly absurd to me, though. It's not like there's a threshold over which additional calories/fat/sugar doesn't count, and a lot of people simply don't like sugared cola or whipped cream.

Comment from balthisar on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:09:43Z

@superdantx: Here in suburbia, DQ is the same. Fast food, plus desserts. I remember going to DQ when I lived in Texas. The only major difference was (get this) that Texas DQ's don't have chocolate ice cream!

Comment from Tmoney02 on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:06:50Z

@scootinger: I've even had employees encourage me to fill such cups with soda.

I highly doubt this, and if it did happen they weren't employee's long.

And this thread should be labeled "Bad Consumer"

Comment from nonsane on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:05:46Z

Are the food portions the same?

Comment from MrEvil on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T23:00:19Z

@superdantx: Franchisees in Texas and surrounding areas banded together to create the Texas DQ Operating Council which is almost its own entity. I can name several towns in my general area with Dairy Queens whose population is under 2000.

Comment from coren on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:59:04Z

Probably just a glitch, but the item's price isn't increased, the deal's price has increased (that is, two wraps for 2.78 has increased by 22 cents)

Comment from HawkWolf on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:56:38Z

@RogueSophist:

You got it all wrong. Soda is bad for you because it has HFCS in it, drink water instead. You gotta go the full consumerist mile.

Also, it's this guy's fault for buying something. :)

I'm feeling so snarky...

Comment from Chantillian on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:56:18Z

@Chantillian: My comment ended up in the wrong place.

I was agreeing with bball123h's and RogueSophist's to scootinger's post.

Comment from Chantillian on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:54:39Z

+1 on the above 2 comments.

Comment from EyeHeartPie on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:54:12Z

@mechfluff: Whoa...from that link above, the chicken wrap with no ranch or cheese has less fat, calories, and carbs (by a LOT) than a small french fries.

Comment from RogueSophist on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:50:56Z

@scootinger: Yes, most Consumerist readers understand that stealing soda, even if "nobody cares," is not good consumerism. Now if you were to suggest that Consumerist readers go across the street to the grocery store to buy a 2-liter bottle of Coke for 99 cents, that's something I can get behind.

Comment from mbz32190 on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:48:01Z

@superdantx:

Dairy Queens are all franchised I believe...I have seen some really nasty store to some really nice ones. You only really find them in smaller towns though..and most of the ones around me, save for a few, are the old-fashioned ice cream only kind.

Comment from bball123h on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:37:13Z

@scootinger: Pretty sure the Consumerist doesn't encourage theft. If you don't agree to the price, don't take any.

Comment from MustyBuckets on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:35:01Z

@Patrick Mcgranaghan: It's not going up $.12, that's the problem. The receipt on the left is the 2nd of the day, buying two wraps at once costs more than buying one wrap twice.

Comment from Jabes on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:34:41Z

@Patrick Mcgranaghan: Yeah, well, it's not going up $.12. It's only if he buys two that they are charging a higher price.

Comment from scootinger on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:33:00Z

What's a Consumerist reader doing paying $2 for a coke? If I want soda at a fast food place, I usually just ask for a (free or cheap) cup for water then fill it with soda. Almost nobody cares, and I've even had employees encourage me to fill such cups with soda.

Comment from mechfluff on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:32:32Z

Hey, wait... Did Dairy Queen get bought out by Target?

Buy 2 and SAVE!

Comment from superdantx on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:32:27Z

I'll have to go check out my local DQ.... all the ones in TX and a lot of the ones in OK run a completely different menu then national (heard a rumor it may be a completely separate company??), here in TX DQ isn't a dessert shop, its a small town fast food place, burgers, fries, chicken tenders etc, rarely see them anymore in the bigger cities....

Comment from calquist on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:31:18Z

@Jage: You beat me to it. At least it isn't Mt. Dew and he will be able to enjoy chewing his wraps for many years to come.

Comment from mechfluff on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:30:10Z

[www.thedailyplate.com]

Not a terrible choice. I could see doing way worse @ dairy queen.

Comment from Dan Grossberg on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:27:44Z

i'd pay the extra 8% for a grilled chicken wrap. they only serve ice cream and cold treats near me. I wonder if he ordered a diet coke when getting the extra wrap? kinda like those who hold the whipped cream on their sugar-ridden frappuccino?

Comment from Patrick Mcgranaghan on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:27:12Z

wow, a chicken wrap at DQ is going up $.12! Stop the presses!

Comment from Jage on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:25:44Z

@tripnman: I assume he was so upset that he was overcharged, he went back to check. And couldn't resit a delicious grilled chicken wrap and a large coke.

Although, it appears that as the day progresses, his diet slowly dies a sad death.

Comment from Yossarian on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:25:34Z

Seems like some poor programming rather than a purposeful attempt to charge more, but perhaps I am letting my Butterfinger Blizzard addiction cloud my judgment.

Comment from tripnman on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:22:59Z

@Jage: Nice catch, didn't see that. I was too busy scanning the receipts for nasty customer service messages.

Comment from digitalskyfire on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:22:23Z

Maybe there are other items that cost more than that on this "Sweet Deal" menu?

Comment from Jage on 2009-02-12

2009-02-12T22:21:16Z

AJ went to dairy queen two times in the same day?

12:19, and 4:39?

That's a lot of coke!