Eating out is becoming more and more expensive: restaurants have to raise prices

Created: 05/03/2022, 3:00 p.m

By: Raphael Scherer

Maximilian Mack, host of the Purfinger Haberer, has noticed that his guests have a lot of catching up to do due to the pandemic.

He is happy about numerous reservations for family celebrations.

He will have a new price list in mid-May.

© SRo

Landlords in the district of Ebersberg are feeling the effects of inflation and are adjusting their range upwards - also to treat their employees fairly.

District – The printers for new menus are running hot in the restaurants in the Ebersberg district.

Because of the rising overall costs due to the Ukraine war, prices there also have to be raised.

"The best example: Before the war, ten liters of cooking oil cost 13 euros, now they cost me over 30," explains Korbinian Kugler from the Kugleralm estate in Ebersberg.

Because of the rising costs, both for the food itself and for deliveries and energy, more must now be demanded, explains Kugler.

Three weeks ago, Christoph Link also had to print new menus with higher prices in the Landlust Wirtshaus am Reitsberger Hof in Vaterstetten: The drinks now cost about three to four percent more, the percentage price increase for the food is "just before the double-digit range". .

He noticed the rising prices when he had to order gas: Instead of the usual 1900, this time he paid over 4000 euros.

"I know right now is the dumbest moment to order gas, but when the tank is empty, it's empty," says Link.

Butter prices up 100 percent

"Of course we had to raise the prices," confirms Franz Schwaiger, district chairman of the hotel and restaurant association in the district (Dehoga) and operator of the hotel and inn of the same name in Glonn.

Since the prices for milk rose by around 30 percent, flour by around 50 percent and butter by as much as 100 percent, this has to be compensated for: "These are all things that we can't get by," summarizes Schwaiger.

At Maximilian Mack from Gasthof Purfinger Haberer, the new price lists will not be available until mid-May.

Until then, he wants to wait for the feedback from his suppliers.

He estimates a price increase of around ten percent, with the price for each dish being "recalculated individually" - this creates more transparency for customers.

Higher employee wages for rising living costs

At the same time, rising prices also mean wage increases for the employees: "I can't say: 'The food is getting more expensive, but the salary isn't higher,'" Kugler clarifies in Ebersberg.

Another reason for rising prices.

Link in Vaterstetten has already increased employee wages.

He recalls that it was the commuters from further afield who quickly drew his attention to the rise in fuel prices.

“Gastronomy in particular is very wage- and employee-intensive, from the dishwasher to the people who clean the rooms overnight,” explains Schwaiger.

The coming autumn in particular will be “exciting” in this regard.

Because then the minimum wage should rise from ten to 12 euros: "It's a tough thing," says Schwaiger.

After all, many from the low-wage sector are employed in the catering industry.

He is certain that this will immediately lead to the next price increase for customers.

At the same time, he understands the demand for more salary in view of the rising cost of living.

Rising prices in restaurants: Customers show understanding

Do the rising prices cause displeasure among the guests?

"Customers fully understand if you deal with the issue transparently and don't take advantage of the situation," says the Kugleralm.

After all, everyone would see the rising prices in private life, for example in the supermarket, and shouldn't be surprised in the restaurant.

Kugler does not initially fear a loss of customers.

"We're already noticing that the regularity isn't there anymore," says Christoph Link in Vaterstetten.

The drop in guests is not yet dramatic for business, but it is noticeable that some guests only come once or twice a month instead of weekly.

Switching to cheaper groceries is not an option

"We already have weddings that start on Wednesday or Thursday," says Schwaiger in Glonn, meanwhile, rejoicing over his full calendar of events.

Due to the pandemic, people have long lacked personal exchange, and restaurants are now the perfect place for that.

He suspects that people will put up with one or two euros more for this.

Mack in Purfinger Haberer can imagine that guests could come less often, but at the moment there is also a “pent-up demand” among his customers due to the pandemic.

Accordingly, he has many reservations for birthday, company and wedding celebrations.

On top of that, May is always the “Communion and Confirmation Month”, so there are still enough inquiries.

On the other hand, switching to cheaper food is out of the question for him, as the quality would suffer as a result.

That must sometimes be worth a euro more to the customer.

"But even people who like to go to the beer garden will probably soon consider whether they should eat a roast beef with onions for 21 euros or prefer the cheaper roast pork."

You can find more current news from the district of Ebersberg at Merkur.de/Ebersberg.