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PORTSIDE CULTURE
A NEW STUDY BREAKS DOWN THE STAGGERING PRICE HIKES AT CHAIN
RESTAURANTS
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Stacey Leasca
March 20, 2025
Food & Wine
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_ Study found prices are skyrocketing across the board. From 2020 to
2025, the inflation rate in the United States rose by 22%; however the
average price increase at 16 popular chain restaurants was nearly
twice as high, at 42%. _
Fast food chains post staggering price increases, Alexander Spatari /
Getty Images
_EDITOR'S NOTE__: Since publishing this story, FinanceBuzz has deleted
information regarding Waffle House's price increases. When asked why,
FinanceBuzz noted that Waffle House was able to provide a menu showing
a different price change. (Food & Wine independently checked menus
from various years available online showing price increases have
occurred). Food & Wine reached out to Waffle House for the same
information, which they declined to provide. So, we have decided to
keep the story as is. You can see the original data here
[[link removed]]._
No, it's not just your imagination. Everything really is getting more
expensive. While the rising cost of living is seemingly slowing down a
bit, the Social Security Administration has raised the Social Security
and Supplemental Security Income
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by 2.5% in 2025 over 2024. Meaning, yes, life costs more. And that
apparently even includes meals at some of your favorite "lower-cost"
fast-casual restaurants.
In March, FinanceBuzz
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financial resources website, shared its findings on how much
fast-casual restaurant prices have risen over the last five years,
including which restaurants have marked up prices the most.
To understand the rise in cost, the team compared current menu prices
across 16 popular chains in the United States. It analyzed the same
items and their cost over five years. It found that prices are
skyrocketing across the board. "From 2020 to 2025, the inflation rate
in the United States rose by 22%. In that same time frame, the average
price increase at 16 popular chain restaurants was nearly twice as
high, at 42%," the findings noted.
There is one place where prices have nearly gone off the charts:
Waffle House. According to the report, "prices have nearly doubled
since 2020 at the southern staple that specializes in breakfast items,
with costs rising by 96% on average." The findings noted that prices
could even continue to rise at the restaurant thanks to its new egg
surcharge and the ongoing avian flu epidemic.
But it's not just eggs that are expensive here. In 2020, hashbrowns
cost just $1.95. Now, that same serving will set you back $4.20,
marking a 110% increase. Even a cup of coffee at Waffle House isn't
immune, with prices rising from $1.80 in 2020 to $3.15 in 2025.
Next up on the list is another breakfast-centric spot, IHOP, where
prices have increased by 82%, on average, over the last five years.
According to the study, the largest price increase is with its 2x2x2
combo, which has gone up 129%.
The good news is these two are major outliers. The third largest
increases in pricing were found at Texas Roadhouse, where the cost of
menu items has gone up 46% on average. Its largest price increase is
with its Macaroni and Cheese kids meal, which now costs 63% more than
in 2020. It's followed by TGI Fridays, where prices have increased by
45%, Applebee's at 41%, Cheesecake Factory and Hooters both at 40%,
Chilis at 39%, Denny's at 36%, and Cracker Barrel at 35% to round out
the top 10.
FAST FACTS:
* From 2020 to 2025, chain restaurant pricing increased by an
average of 42% — nearly twice the rate of inflation, which was at
22%.
* Due to the nationwide egg crisis, chains specializing in breakfast
had the highest price increases, with Waffle House and IHOP jumping by
96% and 82% respectively.
* At 26%, Florida-based Longhorn Steakhouse had the lowest
increases.
"I don’t think most Americans will be all that surprised to learn
prices have been increasing at restaurants, but there may be some
sticker shock when you look at where we were a few years ago vs. now,"
Chris Lewis, the director of digital PR at FinanceBuzz, shared with
Food & Wine. "Customers have been feeling higher prices for years, but
it’s hard to notice or understand how incremental price changes when
they’re just 50 cents at a time."
While Lewis added they aren't saying "don't go out to eat," they do
hope this study helps consumers "cognizant of where their money is
going and to use it in whatever way maximizes their enjoyment of it."
FAST CASUAL CHAINS WITH THE HIGHEST PRICE INCREASES
RESTAURANT
AVERAGE PRICE INCREASE
LARGEST SINGLE-ITEM INCREASE
Waffle House
96%
Grilled Chicken Biscuit: 150%
IHOP
82%
2x2x2 combo: 129%
Texas Roadhouse
46%
Macaroni and Cheese kids meal: 63%
TGI Fridays
45%
Sizzling Chicken & Cheese: 62%
Applebee’s
41%
Chicken Wonton Tacos: 57%
Cheesecake Factory
40%
Classic Burger: 46%
Hooters
40%
New England Clam Chowder: 55%
Chili’s
39%
Crispy Honey-Chipotle Crispers: 47%
Denny’s
36%
Build Your Own Grand Slam: 63%
Cracker Barrel
35%
Cracker Barrel Sampler: 52%
Red Lobster
34%
Chocolate Wave and Bar Harbor Lobster Bake: 46%
Olive Garden
30%
Chicken Alfredo: 40%
Outback Steakhouse
29%
Wood-Fire Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie: 43%
Buffalo Wild Wings
29%
Medium Traditional Wings: 41%
BJ’s Brewhouse
26%
BJ's Original Wings: 36%
Longhorn Steakhouse
26%
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Kids Meal: 40%
* Fast Food
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* Food Prices; Grocery Chains; Food Justice;
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