(05-10-2024, 07:26 PM)garymatt Wrote: I heard from someone who used to go there and now goes to one of the several stands along the highway across from or near HPP that the Keaau stand's prices are higher.
I'm just speculating, but from appearances and a couple of social media comments have suggested that some of the highway vendors aren't paying any rent, so can charge lower prices (either they own the property or a relative does).
This is kind of indicative of where the economy is heading- people can't afford rent or hourly wages, so everything is moving to road stands and food trucks where rent is cheap or free and family works for free. "Too big to fail" companies like Walmart never have problems staying in business because they control the supply chains and set prevailing minimum wages. Small businesses that aren't the road-side kind and/or can't accept EBT don't really have a "place" anymore. Or if they do, that place is shrinking and getting outcompeted.
Starting wage at Taco Bell in Hilo is $14.25 now, which is above minimum wage. Also they don't have any lines at their drive-through lane anymore and an ingredient-lean fast-food burrito is almost $8.00 with no sides and no drink. Not sure why their tacos are so much cheaper... maybe because don't have to pay someone to roll it up?