Consumers are experiencing sticker shock of late, as grocery items had their steepest month-to-month increase in three years in August, according to inflation data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Grocery prices rose 0.6% from July to August – up 2.7% year over year, with prices of items like tomatoes (+4.5%) up starkly, as LinkedIn News reported.
Meanwhile, restaurant prices rose virtually across the board in August.
Michael Della Penna, the chief strategy officer with InMarket, said restaurant chains are faced with the challenges of both economic headwinds and shifting consumer trends, during “this ‘Great Restaurant Reset’ era we’re in today.”
Toast’s August Menu Price Monitor revealed restaurant pricing trends across the restaurant industry, through aggregated sales data from restaurants across 148,000 locations. The monthly report provides a granular view of how inflation impacts restaurant menus, offering recent data on price changes for popular items.
Here’s a look at five menu items that have increased in price at an eye-opening rate.
Burger Prices Raise Eyebrows
In August, the median price of a burger was $14.47, up 0.6% compared to a month earlier. Year over year, burger prices increased by 3.4% since August 2024. Uncooked ground beef prices have risen 12.8% over the past year, according to Yahoo! Finance.
The recent rise in burger prices suggests that restaurants may be finally raising menu prices to offset rising beef costs, Toast wrote. A significant portion of beef served at restaurants is raised in the U.S. – and America’s cattle inventory is at a 75-year low.
Despite high prices, consumer demand for beef remains “remarkably resilient,” as professor Mario Ortez of Virginia Tech told yahoo.com. So far, he added, “higher prices in the store haven’t stopped the majority of beef buyers.”
Wing Prices Soar
Americans love their hot wings these days. However, that passion has been put to the test lately; last month the median price of a plate of hot wings rose to $13.79, up 0.6% from the month prior. Year over year, prices of wings increased 2.3%.
It’s worth noting, though, that there are far more broiler chickens than egg-laying chickens in the U.S., and they can be processed for their meat in as little as six weeks. Egg-laying chickens, on the other hand, start laying after 18 weeks of age. All of this adds up to a more plentiful supply of chicken wings and helps explain why the cost of chicken wings for restaurants hasn’t increased as much as egg prices recently, Toast noted.
Most restaurants aren’t shying away from poultry products because they’re cheaper, in general, than beef.
“We’ve been seeing a trend of ‘chickenmania’ across the dining industry,” Della Penna said, “because it’s a cheaper protein and there are endless opportunities to innovate … across different chicken forms like tenders, nuggets, sandwiches, and snack wraps.
“Extending fan-favorite, spicy wing rubs or sauces to other chicken items on the menu can pique interest among wing lovers.”
Coffee Prices Climb
Coffee is arguably America’s favorite beverage. Consider: Nearly 66% of U.S. adults drink coffee daily, according to a recent National Coffee Data Trends report. That said, Americans’ willingness to pay for extravagant lattes and espressos could soon be tested.
Due to increased demand and climate concerns in countries like Brazil, coffee prices may continue to climb in the months ahead. After remaining flat for several months, median coffee prices started rising again in July 2025.
In August, the median price of regular coffee was $3.52, a 0.3% increase from the month prior, Toast reported. Year over year, coffee prices increased 2.9%.
Beer Costs More Per Pint
Last month, the median price of a cold brew was $6.47, up 0.3% compared to July 2025, Toast noted.
While there are several American beers served in the U.S., there are also numerous imported beers from around the world, of course, which can face additional costs, from tariffs to shipping costs. As a result, beer prices increased by 2.4% year-over-year, Toast noted.
Burrito Prices Experience Uptick
The median price of a burrito at restaurants was $13.40 in August, up 0.2% compared to July 2025. Year over year, prices of the popular Mexican entrée increased by 3.2%.
InMarket’s Inflation InSights survey recently found that 56% of consumers said they’re spending less at fast-food restaurants due to rising costs. As a result, Della Penna said it’s critical for restaurants to focus on the value proposition for customers and find creative ways to integrate more value into their menu, so diners feel they’re getting more bang for their buck.
This is the time for restaurants to lean into limited-time offers, value pricing combos, and nostalgic offerings.
“I give kudos to restaurant brands for the ways that they’re truly doubling down on innovation and strategy to overcome the economic headwinds,” Della Penna said. “From new value menus to endless product innovation, restaurant brands are working diligently to respond to the economic conditions.”
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