Are restaurants raising prices?
James Williams
Published Feb 18, 2026
Restaurant menu prices increased 0.7% on a month-to-month basis in June, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That was the highest rate since well before the pandemic and continued an inflationary run as operators contend with a host of cost increases including labor, food and rent.
How much does it cost to increase menu prices?
Historically, restaurant operators tend to raise menu prices a few times a year, and they do so more aggressively when inflation is driven by wages rather than commodities, according to BTIG LLC analyst Peter Saleh. Between 2015 and 2019, the average increase about 2.5%.
Why are restaurants raising their prices?
Owners and restaurant consultants blame the price increases on a number of different factors including a severe labor shortage and resulting wage inflation, higher gas prices, increased demand now that people are eating out more often, high delivery fees for apps like Uber Eats and more.
How do restaurants increase their prices?
Increase prices bit by bit
- Keep your prices the same but decrease your portion sizes. Start by inspecting the ‘finished’ plates coming back from the dining room.
- Train your staf to sell, upsell and cross-sell, after all being a server is really a job in sales.
What food prices are rising the most?
Compared to last summer, prices of food eaten away from home are up 4.2% — substantially higher than the typical rates of annual increases….Global coffee prices are on the rise
- Bacon — up 15.6%.
- Whole milk — up 11.2%.
- Eggs — up 5.7%.
- Ground coffee — up 1.9%.
- Bananas — up 1.2%.
How do you tell customers you are increasing prices?
Tips for Announcing a Price Increase to Your Customers
- Contact them directly.
- Let customers know well in advance.
- Remind them that higher prices mean better quality.
- Explain the reasoning behind the price increase.
- Ensure the entire organization is aware of the price increase before announcing it to customers.
How do you write a price increase letter?
When writing your price increase notice, keep these in mind:
- Keep your letter direct and simple. Remember that the time of both you and your client is very valuable so never beat around the bush.
- Give a justification for the price increase.
- Provide your clients with a lot of notices about the price increase.
What could you do to make an increased price more bearable for the restaurant and for the customer?
Offset the price increase with deals that customers can capitalize on. Introduce coupons or a membership card that allows customers to save money after purchasing a certain number of meals. Something new that helps a customer save money lessens the impact of the price increase.
How do you increase customer price?
Will food prices go up in 2020?
In 2020, food-at-home prices increased 3.5 percent and food-away-from-home prices 3.4 percent. This convergence was largely driven by a rapid increase in food-at-home prices while food-away-from-home price inflation remained within 0.2 percentage points of the 2019 inflation rate.
Will food prices go down in 2021?
Although the price of food hasn’t recently spiked as it did in early 2020, the USDA said they don’t expect prices to come down through 2022 from where they are currently….USDA change in food price indexes.
| Product | Processed fruits & vegetables |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1.1% |
| 2020 | 3.5% |
| 2021 (YTD average) | 2.6% |
How do you justify a price increase?
Ten successful entrepreneurs from YEC explain how they go about breaking the news of price increases to their most loyal customers.
- Be Honest.
- Thank Your Customers.
- Explain Your Costs.
- Add Features.
- Give a Lower-Priced Option.
- Over-Deliver First.
- Add More Value.
- Raise Prices for Reasons Other Than Profitability.
What is the best way to communicate a price increase?
How can I increase price without increasing price?
Using coupons or promotions to purchase food items. Purchasing store brand food items instead of branded items. Shopping numerous stores for the best offers on food products.
How do you address a customer to increase its price?
Why is grocery shopping so expensive?
Here’s what’s driving the surge in food prices. Foods is getting more expensive at grocery stores and restaurants. Some companies are raising prices, while others are selling smaller quantities for the same price. Supply-chain shortages and poor weather are helping drive higher commodity costs.