A NEW study has revealed that a popular restaurant chain with thousands of US locations has seen a significant menu price increase over the past five years.
The average cost of menu items at Waffle House spiked by 96% during that period, worsened by the current egg shortage caused by the bird flu outbreak.
Waffle House has raised its menu prices by 96% on average across the last five years, according to a new studyGetty Images - GettyThe southern-based breakfast spot, with over 1,900 US locations, ranks as the top fast-casual restaurant that has raised menu prices over the past half a decade, according to a FinanceBuzz study released last week.
Waffle House’s prices have nearly doubled since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, rising by an average of 96%.
The cost of every item that FinanceBuzz collected data on saw an increase of at least 71%, which included breakfast, lunch, and dinner items.
The Waffle House menu item that experienced the greatest price hike was the Grilled Chicken Biscuit, which costs 150% more today than five years ago.
Diners are also seeing a 110% price increase for both a Bacon Angus Cheeseburger Deluxe and order of Waffle House’s signature Hashbrowns.
Another notable increase is the 101% spike in the price of a Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Sandwich.
WALLET WOES
The FinanceBuzz study analyzed the prices of 16 chain restaurants, which have increased by roughly 42% on average from 2020 to 2025.
The menu price increases have outpaced inflation, standing at nearly double the 22% rate of national inflation over the last five years.
While Waffle House topped the list of fast casual chains that have increased menu prices over the years, another breakfast giant took second place.
Rival breakfast chain IHOP came in second in the FinanceBuzz study, spiking its menu prices on average by 82% over the last five years.
The largest single-item increase at IHOP was its 2x2x2 combo, which costs 129% more than it did in 2020.
Texas Roadhouse also saw a notable menu price spike, with an average price increase of 46%.
The menu item that saw the single largest cost hike was the Macaroni and Cheese Kids’ Meal, priced 63% higher than five years ago.
TGI Friday’s customers are also dishing out more cash, as eating out at the chain restaurant costs on average 45% more than in 2020.
The largest single-item increase at the American chain was its Sizzling Chicken & Cheese at 62%.
Chain Restaurant Price Increases
From 2020 to 2025, a handful of fast casual restaurant chains have significantly increased their menu prices on average:
Waffle House: 96% IHOP: 82% Texas Roadhouse: 46% TGI Friday’s: 45% Applebee’s: 41% Cheesecake Factory: 40% Hooters: 40% Chili’s: 39% Denny’s: 36% Cracker Barrel: 35% Red Lobster: 34% Olive Garden: 30% Outback Steakhouse: 29% Buffalo Wild Wings: 29% BJ’s Brewhouse: 26% Longhorn Steakhouse: 26%Source: FinanceBuzz
While Waffle House, IHOP, Texas Roadhouse, and TGI Friday’s price surges were over double the rate of national inflation, a handful of chains rose prices at rates relatively in-line with overall inflation.
For example, Longhorn Steakhouse and BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse increased their menu prices by 26% from 2020 to 2025.
Buffalo Wild Wings, Outback Steakhouse, and Olive Garden also came close, raising menu prices on average by 29%, 29%, and 30%, respectively, over the last five years.
Beyond eating out, consumers are being hit hard by rising prices at the grocery store.
For example, egg prices are projected to skyrocket as high as $11.69 in 2025 as stores like Trader Joe’s and Walmart are forced to add limits.
Meanwhile, another grocery staple is seeing prices “go into the stratosphere,” sparking fears among shoppers.
PAMany fast casual restaurant chains have increased their menu prices at a rate faster than the national inflation rate[/caption] Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Beloved chain restaurant with over 1,900 locations across the US has raised prices by 96% in the past five years )
Also on site :