Local restaurant getting creative

[ua_guy]

Businesses are having hard times finding and keeping workers. Nevermind supply chains, inflation, government handouts, etc. Setting mandatory minimum wages of $19 might be the kiss of death for many businesses. And you all are compaining of higher prices, mandatory tips, added on service charges, etc. Did you not see it coming?

One, I think most of us just don't like tack-on charges as a matter of principle, and have said just raise the dang prices. It's about line-item charges more than it is about affordability or willingness to pay a higher price.

Two, my personal complaint about higher prices is that restaurant pricing (and drinks) appear to have skyrocketed way past any inflation or wage increases. Minimum wages around these parts have been high for quite some time, $15+ with some local establishments often paying a little more. Wages didn't double in the last two years, and now a drink at a bar sometimes cost as much as a whole bottle of liquor-- which is interesting, because liquor prices have (mostly) stayed the same.

Another example is a footlong sub at Subway - which you used to be able to get on special for $5 each. Now they're $17. "Sandwich artists" are not making $30/hr now.

Despite the increase in prices, people still wait for tables and the bar is still packed at the establishments I frequent. I wonder if people are spending less (A beer instead of a mixed drink?) or if restaurants are finding that they can continue to be busy while charging exorbitant prices for mediocre food. I think it's the latter - same with gas prices - record numbers of people hit the road this summer while still paying $5+/gallon in many cases.

[disneysteve]

One, I think most of us just don't like tack-on charges as a matter of principle, and have said just raise the dang prices. It's about line-item charges more than it is about affordability or willingness to pay a higher price.

Totally. I don't need or want a breakdown of why you're charging me what you're charging me. Just give me the bottom line price whatever it is. I guess they think itemizing the charges will be helpful but I think it just makes customers feel like they're being nickel and dimed and ripped off.

Two, my personal complaint about higher prices is that restaurant pricing (and drinks) appear to have skyrocketed way past any inflation or wage increases.

I agree with this also. Many price increases, at restaurants and elsewhere, are just opportunistic at this point. They're raising prices just because.

Despite the increase in prices, people still wait for tables and the bar is still packed at the establishments I frequent.

I think some people are going out less and spending less but there are plenty of people more immune to inflation to take their place. We're seeing this play out at the Disney parks. They keep hiking the prices and adding extra charges and the parks are as busy as ever. Yes, there are people getting priced out who have decided not to come or are coming every other year instead of every year, but so far there has been an endless supply of other people with deeper pockets to take their spot. It's the same at restaurants.