Report: Inflation pushes restaurants to raise prices. Here's how much
Report: Inflation pushes restaurants to raise prices. Here's how much
Natassia Paloma, USA TODAY NETWORKThu, May 14, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC
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Texas Roadhouse has raised menu prices amid inflation, prompting questions about whether other restaurants will do the same.
Menu prices have begun to rise — modestly, according to a May 12 report by the National Restaurant Association. Restaurants increased prices by 0.2% in April for the second consecutive month, according to the report. Compared to a year ago, menu prices are up 3.6% from April 2025 — the organization notes that's the slowest pace in 15 months.
"Overall, restaurant price inflation remains relatively mild and well below the 8.8% peak reached in March 2023, which marked the fastest increase in more than two decades," the National Restaurant Association states.
Texas Roadhouse inflation impact
Texas Roadhouse is making its way to Brunswick County.
Texas Roadhouse announced that its menu prices were hiked by 1.9% in its first-quarter 2026 results, released on May 7 despite an increase in sales.
While the chain's restaurant margin decreased because of commodity and labor inflation, some of that decline was offset by those higher sales, according to the earnings report.
Menu increases differ between limited-service and full-service restaurants
The report also made a distinction between menus at limited-service establishments (where customers typically order and pay for their food before it is prepared and served) and full-service restaurants (where customers are seated and waited by staff).
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Menu prices grew 0.4% at limited-service establishments in April, up from 0.2% in March and the highest since December. Meanwhile, full-service menu prices inched up 0.1% in April.
What is causing menu prices to increase?
Consumer prices as a whole have jumped 0.6% in April, building on a 0.9% increase seen in March, according to the National Restaurant Association. These gains were largely due to higher gasoline prices, which were up 21.2% in March and 5.4% in April.
What is the inflation rate today?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics' consumer price index, its measure of inflation, revealed prices rose 0.6% from March to April and were up 3.8% from a year ago, reported USA TODAY.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on x; natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma Thompson on Facebook.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Menu prices are rising, including at Texas Roadhouse. What to know
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