McDonald's price freeze means your usual order costs the same for a year. But four thousand restaurants are closing in Canada, and this discount war has nothing to do with saving you money.

Charlebois: McDonald's isn't a food company, it's real estate that controls a supply chain. The Big Mac price? Not frozen. Everything else on the value menu: locked for a year. Generic Ozempic approved in Canada, 11 more weight-loss drugs waiting—fewer hungry customers at the drive-thru. The dollar coffee loses money every sale. McDonald's launched the same war in 2013, won for two years, but consumers had disposable income then.

Discover why the Big Mac exemption reveals more than the freeze itself, how generic weight-loss drugs are rewriting fast food economics, and what 4,000 restaurant closures say about who actually wins a price war when customers aren't spending.

GUEST: Dr. Sylvain Charlebois | @‌foodprofessor

Originally aired on 2026-01-15

McDonald's price freeze means your usual order costs the same for a year. But four thousand restaurants are closing in Canada, and this discount war has nothing to do with saving you money.
Charlebois: McDonald's isn't a food company, it's real estate that controls a supply chain. The Big Mac price? Not frozen. Everything else on the value menu: locked for a year. Generic Ozempic approved in Canada, 11 more weight-loss drugs waiting&mdash;fewer hungry customers at the drive-thru. The dollar coffee loses money every sale. McDonald's launched the same war in 2013, won for two years, but consumers had disposable income then.
Discover why the Big Mac exemption reveals more than the freeze itself, how generic weight-loss drugs are rewriting fast food economics, and what 4,000 restaurant closures say about who actually wins a price war when customers aren't spending.
GUEST: Dr. Sylvain Charlebois | @&zwnj;foodprofessor
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-15

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.