Eating out could become more expensive as vegetable prices soar
vegetable prices soar. Prices of staples like onions and tomatoes have gone up and restaurants are looking at the last report of hiking prices, reported TOI.
Discounts are out of question as well, so either way, costumes will have to spend more on enjoying a meal outside.
While such sudden and steep prices are typically seasonal, this time they're beyond «digestible levels», Anjan Chatterjee, founder of Speciality Restaurants, which owns brands like Oh! Calcutta and Mainland China, told TOI. «It has been pinching us across. Our bottom lines are shrinking,» Chatterjee said, suggesting that a price review is underway. «Price increases are being absorbed as of now but we do not know what tomorrow holds,» he added.
Quick service restaurant (QSR) chain Wow! Momo's co-founder and CEO Sagar Daryani said that the brand would be forced to increase the prices in August-September if prices of vegetables do not come down in 15-20 days. «We have not taken price hikes in the past year. My entire momo sauce is tomatoes and chilli but I cannot charge my customers extra money for it,» said Daryani. The company has started automation to manage its costs and save on labour expenses.
High prices of vegetables causing pain to consumers
Smaller joints have a more difficult time. Mumbai-based burger and pizza eatery Bites N Grill has reduced the number of tomato slices in burgers and also discontinued the Caesar and Greek salads due to high lettuce prices, said founder George Kuriakose.
QSR firm Boba Bhai which
