A $22 plate of Eggs Benedict, a $12.87 Big Mac Trio, a $14 Pad Thai… Dining at a restaurant has become an increasingly inaccessible luxury for many Quebecers, almost exceeding the price of their plate has skyrocketed 9% in barely a year.
Sogand, 18, and Diana, 19, met at the exit of a McDonald’s restaurant in the Villeray neighborhood of Montreal on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Photo Martin Jolicoeur
Six months ago, Le Journal calculated that breakfast has never cost so much, as the price of all classic morning foods has caused the cost of the plate to increase by more than 20% in 12 months, but restaurant trips aren’t spared either by the inflation that devours the budget.
“It was $19.49 with a tip, and $22 for a plate of Eggs Benedict. “We come here more often because it’s cheaper than anywhere else,” says Philippe Barrett-Turner, 24, as he exits a lunch restaurant on Montreal’s South Shore on Tuesday.
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“It sure is $15.25 an hour [le salaire minimum au Québec]”It’s getting harder to go to restaurants,” adds the manager of a security company, who also thinks of those who earn less than he does.
A stone’s throw away, her French-born husband Dimitri Mitrovic, 26, a graphic designer, is also visiting fewer restaurants because everything has increased.
“It cost me $28.90 for two people. With tip $33.23. We had a banana and chocolate crepe and a Benedictine,” he says.
“We come back from France. We ate all you can eat sushi for 20 euros [29$]whereas here at Dix30 it easily costs me $42 or $45,” continues Philippe, who has just returned from a trip to France with his lover.
A rendered output “special»
In such a context, many prefer to cook at home. “When we go to a restaurant, it’s because it’s special,” summarizes Stéphanie, a resident of Montreal’s Villeray neighborhood, who sits in a restaurant with her six-year-old son Albert.
Not far from Montreal’s Jean Talon Market, Le Journal spoke to a group of young girls exiting a McDonald’s restaurant.
“We see food prices increasing everywhere, both in markets and in restaurants. In fast food, where you don’t usually expect to pay a lot, I find it really unfortunate, especially for people with more limited means,” says Diana, 19.
One of his companions, Sogand, 18, adds that two hamburgers and frozen desserts cost him nearly $25 last week (including taxes).
“But it’s not just prices that are going up,” she says. We are also seeing more and more restaurants reducing the quality and quantity of food they serve us. In general, the sandwiches are smaller. Also donuts. It’s the same everywhere,” she says.
Almost 9% more expensive
On Tuesday, data from Statistics Canada showed that restaurant-bought food prices rose 8.7% from May 2022 to May 2023, compared with 6.8% for Canada as a whole.
“To date, 51% of restaurants are barely making ends meet or are losing money every day,” Olivier Bourbeau, vice president of federal affairs and Quebec at Restaurants Canada, recalled in an interview with Le Journal about the reasons for this increase.
Adding to the already hefty bill, the tip offered (after tax) continues to increase, as seen here at the Marché des éclusiers in Old Montreal. No more tipping of 12% or 15%… Photo Martin Jolicoeur
Utilities (6%), beef (9%), seafood (11%), chicken (13%), cooking oil (40%), labor costs (7%)… Many factors can therefore explain numerous price increases on the menu at restaurants Canada.
Olivier Bourbeau, Vice President, Federal and Quebec Affairs, Restaurants Canada Supported by Restaurants Canada
“Restaurants are trying as best they can to absorb some of that, but with profit margins of only 2-3% and capacity utilization at 80% due to labor shortages, they’re not arriving and unfortunately have to ‘pass on some of the increase to the consumer'” , he says.
children’s menu
In order to be able to continue to attract customers despite the galloping inflation, some restaurants offer children’s meals at lower prices and sometimes even free of charge.
At La Cage, the children’s menu is $3 on Sundays. At Trois Brasseurs, kids can sometimes eat for $3.
Also note that the consumer price index (CPI) rose 3.4% year-on-year in May after rising 4.4% in April. That’s the smallest increase since June 2021, Statistics Canada noted on Tuesday.
The slowdown in growth was partly due to lower gasoline prices (-18.3%) year-on-year.
-With the QMI Agency
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