Chain restaurant price increase chart from Finance Buzz

[Brons2]

Some of these chains have specials and have for a while. Applebee’s used to have 2 for $20 with maybe 2 for $25 with different choices. So did Chili’s. Their 3 for $10 was a solid deal when it lasted, but their variable pricing now is still a pretty good deal.

Sometimes I see people with really high bills wondering why they didn’t have at least one person at the table ordering a special. It’s cheaper than fast food these days.

But years ago the “secret menu” at Chili’s was that lunch sized portions could be ordered at any time. I’ve never ordered a full portion of their baby back ribs, but the half portion was less than half the price of a full portion and came with a full sized side of fries and apples. I mentioned something to a server once getting takeout once and was told they could do it. But occasionally I’d find a location where I was told they couldn’t do it.

I get the $10.99 3 for me every time I go to Chilis, being that we are in the exurbs and in an area that's just starting to get developed, Chilis is one of the few things that is within 5 miles of our house. I also joined their rewards program and you can get a free chips and salsa, or a free beverage from that, lately it's always been the beverage.

But the wife always orders something expensive. She isn't going to be constrained by the value items! I am woman, hear me ROAR! I don't like it, but It is what it is. Actually you could probably start a whole nother thread on this subject. Any of you guys relate?

 

[Chris142]

You would think that IHOP would be better food considering how much their cost has gone up. IHOP here is inedible and overpriced.

2 awful breakfast combos and drinks was $50 when we went. Won't be back.

 

[ripcord]

I get the $10.99 3 for me every time I go to Chilis, being that we are in the exurbs and in an area that's just starting to get developed, Chilis is one of the few things that is within 5 miles of our house. I also joined their rewards program and you can get a free chips and salsa, or a free beverage from that, lately it's always been the beverage.

But the wife always orders something expensive. She isn't going to be constrained by the value items! I am woman, hear me ROAR! I don't like it, but It is what it is. Actually you could probably start a whole nother thread on this subject. Any of you guys relate?

I hear you... Except it's my daughter, not my wife who is the expensive orderer in our family. I hope whoever she marries has a fat wallet.

There are several factors that I suspect have driven up costs for restaurants. First are massive increases in a lot of states of the minimum wage. Inflation has been greater for food prices. Insurance has gone up a lot recently, and rent has also gone up quite a bit in most markets.

 

[Chris142]

The various locally-owned non-chain places near me have definitely not kept up with that kind of pace; the burger place and the pizza place in particular (both been here since about 1970) are still quite reasonable.

A large pepperoni pizza will cost you $30 here and you have to go get it.

 

[ripcord]

My favorite little drive through burrito shack has only raised their prices by a buck since COVID hit. They were already one of the most reasonably priced lunches around so they get my business more and more often these days.

 

[y_p_w]

I hear you... Except it's my daughter, not my wife who is the expensive orderer in our family. I hope whoever she marries has a fat wallet.

There are several factors that I suspect have driven up costs for restaurants. First are massive increases in a lot of states of the minimum wage. Inflation has been greater for food prices. Insurance has gone up a lot recently, and rent has also gone up quite a bit in most markets.

Some of the big chains have gone to semi automation in the kitchen, which brings down costs. Obviously this means fewer employees needed, but it is what it is.

 

[Patman]

A large pepperoni pizza will cost you $30 here and you have to go get it.

That’s crazy!! Up here I can get a huge (18”) pepperoni pizza from Costco for $12.99 ($9.38 US)

 

[mr_boring]

I don't think Texas Roadhouse is really up 46%

From 2009-2016ish I traveled a lot for work. I ate a LOT of Texas Roadhouse because it was always consistently good. It ran me about 30 bucks to eat there in 2016.

It runs me about 35 bucks to eat there today. I've eaten there 2x this year.

That's either a big ribeye and a tea or a big combo and a tea. I don't do appetizers since I order a big meal. Appetizers might be up 46%

 

[mr_boring]

That’s crazy!! Up here I can get a huge (18”) pepperoni pizza from Costco for $12.99 ($9.38 US)

We can get them from any chain here for about 13 bucks. If we go get it. I can get one from a decent pizza joint for about 20.

Some people swear a Big Mac meal in their area costs $18...

This is the best pizza in town. It's got enough cheese to choke an elephant and I add pepperoni. Only 16" though.

 

[John105]

I’ll point out again Mcd’s would routinely give a free no purchase necessary large chicken if Phillies won and 1/4 pounder if Eagles won. Without the free? $1 large sandwich with app. This is 2015-2019’ish. Remember the dollar menu? Now it’s the $3 menu. My salary hasn’t tripled nor has anyone’s that I know of. Haven’t been to TX Roadhouse they were one whose prices were still low after 2020, they were up there on the chart..

 

[John105]

I don't think Texas Roadhouse is really up 46%

From 2009-2016ish I traveled a lot for work. I ate a LOT of Texas Roadhouse because it was always consistently good. It ran me about 30 bucks to eat there in 2016.

It runs me about 35 bucks to eat there today. I've eaten there 2x this year.

That's either a big ribeye and a tea or a big combo and a tea. I don't do appetizers since I order a big meal. Appetizers might be up 46%

That is good to hear…not 46%. I do like the place but haven’t been in a long time

 

[SC Maintenance]

I don't think Texas Roadhouse is really up 46%

From 2009-2016ish I traveled a lot for work. I ate a LOT of Texas Roadhouse because it was always consistently good. It ran me about 30 bucks to eat there in 2016.

It runs me about 35 bucks to eat there today. I've eaten there 2x this year.

That's either a big ribeye and a tea or a big combo and a tea. I don't do appetizers since I order a big meal. Appetizers might be up 46%

Not sure - we used to go (Family of 4) and would all get the 11 oz sirloin (the 8 oz was always a lousy cut) Used to be $10.99 - quite a few years ago of course. Its $15.99 last I went. Honestly 15.99 still isn't bad, comparatively to a lot of places.

There stingy on the sweet bread now also.

 

[tbm5690]

If this will help push people to make meals at home and eat better, then it's not a bad thing. I enjoy eating out but it happens maybe once a week...often less. As it turns out you not only are more OK paying more for a meal out when it is less frequent, but it's more satisfying when it's approached as a treat, not the norm. My 2¢.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Ihop's pancakes have shrunken a lot, overpriced but if nothing else is open, it'll do. Chili's is still a good deal IMHO for the amount of food you get.

 

[SC Maintenance]

If this will help push people to make meals at home and eat better, then it's not a bad thing. I enjoy eating out but it happens maybe once a week...often less. As it turns out you not only are more OK paying more for a meal out when it is less frequent, but it's more satisfying when it's approached as a treat, not the norm. My 2¢.

We have gotten better at keeping fast meal prep stuff at home - at least a decent salad or sandwich, or charcuterie, rather than just stop somewhere to eat.

When we were busy (two jobs, two kids in school) we would stop here or there at some local places - nothing special, just everyone out of time and energy. But most of those keep falling off one by one, higher prices, lower quality.

​

 

[SC Maintenance]

Ihop's pancakes have shrunken a lot, overpriced but if nothing else is open, it'll do. Chili's is still a good deal IMHO for the amount of food you get.

How much can a pancake cost to make - really?

 

[Owen Lucas]

How much can a pancake cost to make - really?

I bet at that scale probably less than 5 cents each?

 

[SC Maintenance]

I bet at that scale probably less than 5 cents each?

Yes. So these restaurants cut back 5 cents a plate at most, and loose a customer potentially. Doesn't seem like a winning strategy to me?

 

[PandaBear]

How much can a pancake cost to make - really?

Probably quite a lot depends on how much local labor is used vs how much of the stuff is made in the central kitchen.

Time is the most expensive thing in the kitchen, which is why the egg on the egg McMuffin is as expensive as the rest of the sandwich if you look at its price compare to without egg. You can't microwave egg from frozen and you have to fry it.

 

[Chris142]

That’s crazy!! Up here I can get a huge (18”) pepperoni pizza from Costco for $12.99 ($9.38 US)

I have never gotten a Costco pizza. We have some very good locally owned places we like that are much closer than Costco. Takes me 45 min 1 way to get to Costco.