Pittsburg, PA

Ditching the drive-thru – the unexpected reason many are passing on fast food

Published

1 year ago

September 20, 2024

Ditching the drive-thru – the unexpected reason many are passing on fast food

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Do you eat as much fast food as you once did? There’s a growing trend away from meal convenience and Pennsylvania is near the top of the states leading the trend.

I’m guessing you are probably thinking the reason for this was what I thought it was – and soon I learned nope, that’s not it.

How many meals have you eaten behind the wheel or in the passenger seat of a car? It’s just kind of our generation’s way of life but that is changing.

“Nearly two-thirds of our respondents are intentionally reducing their fast food consumption,” said Bryant Baucom of Richfield Research. “Eighty-three percent of the respondents from Pennsylvania said they have intentionally cut their fast food consumption in the past year, ranking behind California and Texas.”

Richfield Research did the study and Baucom said the reason for people rejecting the drive-thru bag might not be the one you’d expect.

“So 51% of our respondents cited money as the main reason for cutting back on their fast food consumption,” he explained. “Around 21% cited health reasons, and 16% were just citing a declining quality of product.”

As for the number of meals involved, Baucom said that 63% of respondents cut back from three meals or more per week from fast food restaurants.

“Cooking from home or the more popular meal kit options,” Baucom said have taken the place of the quick, easy fast food meal.

However, when it comes to pricing and deals, there are two places Baucom found to still be popular for wallets.

“Taco Bell and Wendy’s were the two top restaurants where people thought they were really getting the best bang for their buck,” he said. “On the inverse, McDonald’s and KFC were the two restaurants where they felt like paying more was not really matching what they were getting.”

He also said that those meal deals the restaurants offer are only drawing about 17% of respondents back. In fact, a third didn’t even know there were meal deals.

So basically, it’s money – not health – that’s prompting people to cook at home. By quite a lot, too. As he put it, among the 3,000 people surveyed, it is becoming increasingly more challenging to spend more money on food they view as not improving in quality.

John Shumway

John Shumway joined KDKA in October 1988 as a General Assignment Reporter. During his years at KDKA, he has anchored the morning and weekend news and is currently a featured General Assignment Reporter on the station’s 4, 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts.

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Pittsburg, PA

Hemingway’s Cafe in Oakland closing after more than four decades

Published

10 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Hemingway’s Cafe in Oakland closing after more than four decades

January 9, 2026 / 6:04 AM EST
/ CBS Pittsburgh

A longtime staple near Pitt’s campus is closing its doors after more than four decades of business in Oakland.

Hemingway’s Cafe announced Thursday that it will be closing for good in May after more than 40 years along Forbes Avenue in the heart of Oakland.

“Since opening in 1983, Hemingway’s has been more than just a bar – it’s been a home, a meeting place, and an Oakland staple for generations of students, alumni, locals, and friends at the heart of the University of Pittsburgh,” the bar said.

Hemingway’s Cafe in Oakland has announced it will be closing for good in May after more than four decades of business near the University of Pittsburgh’s campus.

KDKA Photojournalist Brian Smithmyer

The bar said while they are sad to be closing, they’re also grateful for the decades of memories, laughter, friendship, and traditions over the years.

“Thank you for making Hemingway’s what it has been for over four decades,” the bar said.

A final closing date for Hemingway’s hasn’t been announced.

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Pittsburg, PA

Jack McGregor, original founder of Pittsburgh Penguins, dies at 91

Published

22 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Jack McGregor, original founder of Pittsburgh Penguins, dies at 91

January 8, 2026 / 8:28 PM EST
/ CBS Pittsburgh

Jack McGregor, a former state senator and the original founder of the Pittsburgh Penguins, died at the age of 91 on Tuesday. The organization announced the news in a post on social media on Thursday.

“The team extends our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and teammates during this difficult time,” a post on X said.

No other information was provided in the post, which was shared before the team’s game at PPG Paints Arena against the New Jersey Devils.

Pittsburgh Penguins original owner Jack McGregor drops a ceremonial puck between Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks at PPG Paints Arena on October 15, 2016 in Pittsburgh.

(Photo Credit: Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images)

According to his biography on the United States Senate Library, McGregor served in the state Senate from 1963-1970. He represented District 44 in Allegheny County and was a Republican.

He was born in Kittanning, Armstrong County, and attended the University of Pittsburgh and Quinnipiac University before getting into politics, according to his biography. He also served in the United States Marine Corps.

In 1966, the NHL granted a franchise to Pittsburgh after McGregor formed a group of investors that included H. J. Heinz II and Art Rooney. McGregor was named president and chief executive officer by the investors and represented Pittsburgh on the NHL’s Board of Governors, according to his biography.

The team played its first game in 1967 at the Civic Arena. McGregor owned the team for four years before selling it.

There is also a scholarship in his name at Pitt. It aims to provide “financial assistance to a law student who excels academically and has committed to working in the public sector,” the university says.

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