Higher prices I might could accept, but considering how bad the quality and service has gotten makes it twice as bad. Started with me a few years back, after witnessing one to many health hazards I almost entirely cook my own meals. I really enjoy cooking and my worst cook meals tastes better than 95 percent of the slop out there.

Many youngsters have never seen their parent(s) cook. They have no clue how to do it. Most will live on snack foods.
That's what I see with my grandchildren. They foraged for food as Mom was gone at 4 nights weekly for Walmart job. Now they all work 3-4 days at Walmart. Somehow, they have not done the math.

Three places that we used to frequent on a regular basis had two places each,
Last year.

This year
All three are down to one each.

quote:

Originally posted by 1s1k:
.32 doesn’t sound anywhere close to working out but I would have no idea.

Where I worked (not food related) it was always 6.2x the cost or the owner thought he was losing money.

It's divide by 0.32 not multiply. Your non-restaurant example in same format would be 0.16. As far as restaruants, here is an excerpt from April '22 HospitalityNow article:

quote:

Naturally, food is one of a restaurant’s biggest expenses — if not its biggest. A restaurant’s food costs should be roughly 30% of its total revenue, but there is variation depending on the concept. While The Houston Chronicle puts the industry average between 28% and 35%, RestaurantOwner.com narrows that number down to 28-32%.

This isn't just a restaurant thing, but a business thing in general. Most who have never run a business have no idea what is involved, especially the overhead.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Very true. My rent goes up every year and since I have a new landlord that is very true. My electricity is TWICE the residential rate, liabiity insurance, internet is much higher as well as cell phone costs. I am responsible for all repairs under 200 dollars and the list goes on.

I took 4 to The Outback a couple of weekends ago. Nothing really high end purchased- $150

Tonight’s dinner for two with plenty of leftovers; large rack of spare ribs on sale for $0.99 per lb and pot of borracho beans.

I have a well stocked spice cabinet so all the other ingredients came to came to $8.50.

My wife and I ate well and we both have leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

Do we remember or parents complaint about prices back in the 70's?

Pre-2020, I probably was eating out 4 to 5 times a week, but since then, I've been reduced that to maybe once a month. Living expenses were +14% for 2023, I'm bracing for an increase of about +15% this year

I think ALL parents complain about prices.
I recall when my mother complained that she'd never spent $40 on groceries (after getting only change from (2) $20's) which bought 6 large paper grocery bags filled.

We have never eaten out much. $900 a month? I think that would be our budget for a year or more.

On the topic of things being expensive. Yes everything has gone up a lot.

In this house build project costs are high, very high. Even with materials coming down significantly in the last year. Labor costs are insane. A lot of it is greed.

It has been a struggle to keep from getting raped honestly.

Just trying to get to the end of the project soon.

I only eat at a few local places. One has new management and while prices haven't really jumped they have changed enough portions,options and ingredients that I will not be returning. Shame as they had a really good baked pasta.
Otherwise, I'd say maybe an extra $2 on entrees most places and an increase on MTN DEW about 15-20%.

I can still eat at most places for less than $25, but I tend to avoid fast food because of the price vs quantity most of them offer.

I am honestly more surprised by the grocery store price hikes. I'm not paying $12 for what should be a <$6 case of PepsiCo sugar water. Ain't happening. Chicken is up too, but not to the same extent.

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
I eat a lot of Pork, it is still a bargain.
.

I still buy pork by the 1/2 share. I feel better knowing it’s locally grown, and I know the source. They are extremely ethical- wouldn’t even take all the leftovers from our school (human grade) to feed the pigs. I know that fat is clean.

quote:

Originally posted by irreverent:
I quit buying ribeye altogether. Which sucks, because that was a once a month treat, but it’s gotten to be not worth it, or it’s cut too thin.. still buying chicken, though, and looking at the mngr specials.

Get the whole ribeye from Costco if you can. Not on sale all the time but you can snag it on sale a couple times a year, which is what my wife and I do. Then cut the steaks however thick you'd like them. Seal them in a vacuum sealer and freeze. Better quality than from all but a local butcher shop that'll charge 3-4x what I've got into it from Costco.


As for the whole business owner overhead thing? Customers aren't as ignorant as some of you business owners think we are. We just want to make the best financial decision for ourselves and our families. If that means balking at a $20 burger, fries, and a Coke, then so be it. If a business folds because of it? Too bad, so sad! I honestly think too many people spend way too much money on stuff that's unnecessary anyways. Who the hell needs a $7 coffee from Hipsterbucks when the same can be made at home for $.50 using higher quality coffee? Laziness I think is the main culprit. People would rather spend time finger banging their devices or gawking at some show on Netflix than preparing a few meals for dinner or to take to work. Is there any wonder why credit card debt in this country is the highest it's ever been?

I grew up on a farm in the 80's & 90's. All meals were eaten at home with the exception of a 79 cent cheeseburger from McDonald's maybe twice a year. Somehow, we all survived. We all learned a few valuable lessons too....how to cook, how to save a few dollars, and how to be mostly self sufficient (gardening/hunting/fishing).

We don’t eat out often anymore, I don’t mind paying more for a good meal but but service is so pathetic at most places, I refuse to patronize them.There is only a few select places we even think about going when we do and they are local to us.

quote:

Originally posted by 1s1k:

Where I worked (not food related) it was always 6.2x the cost or the owner thought he was losing money.

I’m curious what you were selling that you could mark up that much. I sell tires and some automotive accessories. No way could I approach that kind of margin.

After reading the whole thread I'm thinking I probably got a deal last week when I took my granddaughter out to eat for her birthday at a sit-down seafood restaurant. Two adults plus 8 kids (ages 10-13) for $178.

I was initially not very happy with the total cost but blew it off as a birthday gift and it is only once a year. Retired and on a fixed income, sensitive to costs as are most of my age group that grew up in the 60's and 70's.

^^^Welcome to SIGforum!

quote:

Phu Bai, Vietnam, 68-69
Baghdad, Iraq, 04-05

And Thank you for your service! I'm assuming you were you were in Vietnam AND Iraq w/ the US Military...How is that? Your Signature Line(s) could likely be a thread unto themselves.

ETA - Apparently your Profile provides some insight into your time w/ the US Military. 37 years though...That's impressive!

Here the fast food is crazy expensive compared to local places. Subway footlong $13-18, Laspada's (which is top shelf) small sub is $10-13 and equivalent in size to subway...... mcdonalds basic cheeseburger $2.49 each.......a really good sit down 10 ounce burger/fries at a local small chain is $7.99 lunch special with a drink, and tip is still almost as cheap as eating a larger burger combo at mcdonalds and others...........

Rent is way up, utilities are way up, labor is way up and food prices........