| When the economy took a downturn, many fast | | | | 3. Follow the information on your receipt to |
| food restaurants scrambled to provide | | | | complete the survey. Usually, there are multiple |
| inexpensive food options for consumers that | | | | means of completing the surveys. Use different |
| would fit into the average Americans' reduced | | | | ones every time you complete one. In addition to |
| budget. If you were following the trend, KFC and | | | | this, know that certain bits of information may be |
| Taco Bell offered $5 snack boxes. Sub shops like | | | | collected about you or stored on your computer |
| Subway and Quizno's offered meals (6" sub, chips, | | | | every time you take a survey. Personally I prefer |
| and drink) for $3.99. As the recession continued | | | | to protect myself because I never know how |
| and as fast food restaurants continue to battle | | | | that information will be used. So here is what I |
| for the limited money in consumers' wallets, | | | | suggest you do if you share my concerns: |
| consumers could eat value meals (burger/chicken, | | | | 4. If you call the number on the receipt to |
| fries, and drink) at restaurants like McDonald's, | | | | complete the survey the number you called from |
| Burger King, Krystal's, and Wendy's for $2.99. But, | | | | will be stored. Using *67 before the toll free |
| the fast food wars did not end here. Taco Bell | | | | number ensures that your phone number is not |
| now has a $2.00 meal (various tacos/burritos, | | | | sent to their caller ID. Another option of course is |
| chips, and drink) available to customers and, at | | | | to call from multiple numbers, none of which are |
| many KFCs, you can purchase a value box (1pc | | | | your own. |
| dark meat chicken and fries) for $1.99. | | | | 5. If you complete the survey online and an email |
| Furthermore, many of fast food chain restaurants | | | | address is required, your email address will be |
| like Arby's, Wendy's, McDonald's, Burger King, etc. | | | | recorded. This is a good reason to have multiple |
| improved the $1/$0.99/value menus with smaller | | | | email addresses and better yet, email accounts |
| versions of many consumer favorites. The | | | | that you have for distributing to companies and |
| competition has left us with the lowest prices | | | | anyone that aren't friends or family members. |
| seen in a long time. But, what if these options are | | | | 6. Ifyou complete the survey online and no email |
| still too pricey for you? Can you get a decent | | | | address is required, then a cookie maybe stored |
| meal at a fast food restaurant any cheaper? | | | | on your computer. In this case, use the InPrivate |
| Actually, yes! How about eating for $1? | | | | Browsing feature in Internet Explorer or the Start |
| Over the past year, I have noticed that it is | | | | Private Browsing feature in Firefox. |
| possible to eat a very filling meal at some of | | | | Repeat steps 1-3 and remit the receipt with the |
| America's most popular fast food restaurants | | | | code for an additional FREE item during your next |
| regularly for $1 or less by simply being cognizant, | | | | visit. |
| voicing my opinion, and understanding a bit about | | | | The best part of this method is that the free |
| internet and phone technology. I can teach you | | | | item is usually a burger. Given that many |
| how you can eat for $1 or less in four easy | | | | restaurants now have a wide variety of side |
| steps. | | | | items for $1 or less on their value/dollar/.99 |
| 1. Visit a fast food chain franchise (not company | | | | menu, this makes forming a filling combo-like meal |
| owned restaurant) restaurant that offers a FREE | | | | easy. If you need something to wash down your |
| menu item if you complete a survey. That is a | | | | meal, consider water (non-bottled). It is always |
| restaurant that gives you a FREE item, no | | | | FREE and much healthier than the drink |
| purchase necessary, if you complete a survey. | | | | alternatives. If you get bored with eating the |
| You may need to inquire prior to your visit to | | | | same thing, add a variety of fast food chains** |
| verify the franchisee's participation in the survey | | | | to your rotation. Choosing restaurants that |
| program. | | | | participate in the survey programs and repeating |
| 2. Buy an item from that restaurant from the $1 | | | | the steps above will lead to $1 or less meal on |
| $0.99/value menu and keep the receipt. | | | | every future visit. Enjoy your meal! |