Food prices keep rising
Restaurants are still wrestling with higher food and beverage costs, forcing menu adjustments and making upselling both harder and more necessary—guests are more price-sensitive but willing to pay for clear value. Operators say understanding inflation’s squeeze is essential for framing premium recommendations and justifying add-ons. (qz.com)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the food-away-from-home index rose 0.3% in February 2026, with the full‑service and limited‑service meal indexes each up 0.3% for the month. (dol.gov) The National Restaurant Association found menu prices increased 0.3% in February and are up 3.9% since February 2025, while full‑service menu prices have risen 4.6% year‑over‑year. (restaurant.org) A Toast survey of 712 restaurant decision‑makers in April–May 2025 showed 48% would raise menu prices if inflation continues and that 20% of operators ranked inflation as their top business pain point. (pos.toasttab.com) Quartz reported consumers are responding by leaning on value menus, smaller formats and cheaper entry points even as many remain willing to pay more when a premium option clearly delivers value; the same CPI release showed full‑service meals up 4.6% year‑over‑year. (qz.com) Industry guidance on the floor says suggestive‑selling done as hospitality—not hard sell—can move the needle; TouchBistro estimates suggestive selling can boost revenue by up to 30% when staff offer genuinely relevant upgrades. (touchbistro.com) Wine‑sales playbooks recommend a balanced by‑the‑glass program, short confident server scripts, and offering tastes or half pours to lower risk for price‑sensitive guests while increasing per‑head spend, tactics highlighted by GoFoodservice and Binwise. (gofoodservice.com) Veteran sommeliers advise opening conversation with budget‑anchoring lines and menu‑driven alternatives—examples include light humor or a price‑range probe to surface comfort levels—so premium pairings feel like curated value rather than a pushy add‑on. (barandrestaurant.com)
