As someone who has to pay close attention to food prices - I’ve noticed a bit of a sling shot up in mid tier restaurant prices recently. (Think applebee’s but mom & pop.)

I suspect they tried some shenanigans - smaller portions, cheaper ingredients, opening later/closing earlier and generally cutting corners - and after that showed little affect they’re in panic mode.

It’s “go big or go home” time.

Smaller towns full of wage workers can’t handle price increases.

These places are beginning to close en masse. nostr:note12qa6js8c8wr83jgd7xdh5wgvmq4typg8mmwsxnnxtk3503ywv9eqtvcjc7