Part 7/12:
Rising Menu Prices and Consumer Discontent
Menu inflation exemplifies the broader crisis. A pint of beer at a brewery might now be priced out of reach due to soaring costs of ingredients, labor, rent, and energy. Many consumers simply refuse to pay these inflated prices, pushing fast-food and casual dining establishments into a corner.
This phenomenon pushes consumers towards sit-down restaurants offering perceived higher value or outright staying home. The shrinking portion sizes and ever-increasing prices make traditional fast-food less competitive and less attractive to average diners.