This week on Nation's Restaurant News the top story was NRN editors discuss nostalgia, menu price increases, and Consumer Picks. Plus hear from Sahil Rahman and Rahul Vinod, co-founders of RASA.
In other news, McDonald’s Cactus Plant Flea Market Box, launched just last week but already sold out in several markets. A look at social media posts show McDonald’s employees “begging” customers to not order the “adult McDonald’s happy meals” because they’re overwhelmed with orders.
We’ve heard this song before time and time again, and McDonald’s is certainly not unique with these challenges. In fact, unionizing efforts are growing in the industry in part because employees feel understaffed as they manage buzzy promotions through more channels, like delivery and curbside. During the last round of earnings calls, several executives acknowledged continued staffing challenges — including McDonald’s.
Also, With continued supply chain issues and inflationary pressures mounting, it’s no wonder that most restaurants raised their prices this year. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index, food away from home prices increased 8% from Aug. 2021 to Aug. 2022.
But where can you find the biggest price increases? According to research published by personal finance technology company, MoneyGeek, San Francisco has edged out Los Angeles and New York City to be named the most expensive city for a burger, fries and a soda, with the average meal at major chains costing $15.30 in San Francisco, $14.59 in Los Angeles, and $14.22 in New York City (the other cities in the top 10 included Long Beach, Washington, Philadelphia, Boston, Sacramento, Seattle and Mesa).
See what else was trending on NRN.com this week.