Unemployment Taking A Bite Out of Breakfast?

Breakfast sales have grown at a rapid rate across the U.S., but according to the Washington Post, when the unemployment rate hit 10 percent in the fall, breakfast sales dropped by 4 percent. We went to two restaurants to see if that's the case in Birmingham.

Charles Smith is currently unemployed. He says,  "I don't get up as early and I eat breakfast foods at home."

Like many Americans, unemployment has forced change in the household. Something longtime McDonald's owner Max Cooper says he anticipated.

"People were losing their jobs and eating out less frequently, we realized it was going to be competitive, so we did a number of things we put in great value," Cooper says.

The great value and efficient customer service has brought a positive spin on sales in the mornings.

"We have always had a strong breakfast and our objective was to maintain that."

Meanwhile, at Chick-Fil-A, owner Morris Jackson has a similar sentiment.

"Our sales have remained strong and through this recession we're very grateful for that."

Some customers we spoke to say when it comes to their breakfast, convenience is what matters most.

Rebecca Sparks is a working mother. She says, "Sometimes it's just all about convenience and timing, if we're in a hurry, but it hasn't really stopped me, sadly," Sparks says.

While the recession takes a jab at American's daily lives, these restaurants aren't seeing a bite out of breakfast business.