Owing to rising pricing at well-known high street shops, Brits wanting to make savings due to the cost of living problem are now being forced to pay extra for their preferred snacks and lunches, MailOnline can disclose.
Lunchtime favourites including a Big Mac, a Greggs sausage roll, and a Pret Tuna and Cucumber Baguette have all seen price increases recently, some by as much as 50p.
It follows a price increase by fast food giant McDonald’s last month to £1.19 for its renowned 99p cheeseburger, which had previously seemed to outpace inflation. It had been more than 14 years since the price of the burger had been raised.
According to research by MailOnline, bar and casual dining companies are also gradually raising their costs.
In the previous two years, the price of a half chicken and two sides from Nando’s has increased from £11.20 to £13, while the price of Pizza Express’s iconic La Reine has increased by 75p since 2020.
Even Wetherspoon, which is renowned for its inexpensive drinks and meals, has had to raise the prices on its menu. While the chain’s similarly popular huge breakfast is only 30p more costly than it was a year ago, its famed three plates for £10 bargain is now as high as £12.50 in certain locations.
All eateries and grab-and-go establishments are now dealing with rising prices on top of one another.
As a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the cost of ingredients like wheat and cooking oils has increased, and rising gas costs are also hurting businesses like stores, cafés, and restaurants.
However, with consumers already seeking to tighten their belts owing to the greater cost-of-living constraint, the rising costs might undermine consumer trust in the grab-and-go industry.
As they prepare for massive heating bills this winter and skyrocketing food costs at shops, Britons are already making savings.
And if energy costs keep rising, there are worries that inflation in the UK might reach 15% this winter.
Pubs are already shutting down the lights as rising energy costs hammer the struggling hospitality industry.
Last orders are being placed hours earlier, food is being reduced, and venues are being managed by skeleton crews in an effort to stay afloat.
Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge claimed yesterday that one of his pubs’ annual power costs would jump from £60,000 to an astounding £420,000 as the hospitality industry in Britain threatens collapse this winter.
Lunchtime favourites including a Big Mac, a Greggs sausage roll, and a Pret Tuna and Cucumber baguette have all seen price increases recently, some by as much as 50p.
Prices could vary depending on the area. McDonald’s operates on a franchise structure, which allows franchisees to determine their own pricing in accordance with suggestions.
According to Pret, its prices are different and more than normal at its outlets near railroad stations. In the last two years, the price of filter coffee has jumped twice, going from £1.25 to £1.40 in stores and £1.50 at stations.
According to a study by MailOnline, chains for pubs and casual eating establishments are also gradually raising their costs.
In the previous two years, the price of a half chicken and two sides from Nando’s has increased from £11.20 to £13, while the price of Pizza Express’s iconic La Reine has increased by 75p since 2020. Even Wetherspoon, which is renowned for its inexpensive drinks and meals, has had to raise the prices on its menu.
While the chain’s similarly famous huge breakfast is now 30p more costly than it was a year ago, its well-liked three plates for £10 bargain is now as high as £12.50 in certain locations.
It comes after a MailOnline investigation revealed how leading grab-and-go and casual dining firms boosted their costs by at most 20% over the previous two years.
Pizza Express, a well-known company with an Italian flair, has raised the cost of all of its main menu items.
Popular dough ball appetiser prices have increased by £1 over the last year, while other traditional pizza prices have increased by 75p.
Most Pizza Express locations now charge £13.45 for the traditional La Reine pizza, up from £12.70 last year.
A traditional cheese and tomato pizza is now £9.95, up £1 from £8.95, so anybody intending to save money by choosing a less expensive Margherita will also be unable to do so.
The traditional lasagna at Pizza Express, meanwhile, has seen one of the biggest price increases, going from £11.9 to £13.45.
Nandos, a restaurant brand known for its grilled chicken, has also been forced to raise its pricing.
The price of a half chicken with two usual sides at the well-known peri-peri brand has increased from £11.20 to £13 during the last two years.
Nandos burger devotees are also have to pay a higher price. The price of a grilled chicken burger with a side used to be £8.75 but is now £9.80.
Additionally, those searching for a team will need to stretch their budgets further since a 10wings plate has increased by 65p, from £10.95 to £11.50.
Prices are also rising at pub chain Wetherspoon, which is well-known for its inexpensive drinks and meals.
The well-liked three small meals for £10 bargain from the pub chain has increased to £12.50.
Similar price increases have been made to Wetherspoon’s mixed grill and drink special, which now costs between £11.20 and £12.70 with alcohol.
And those wishing for a Wetherspoon meal will also have to pay extra, with the chain’s big breakfast now costing £6.10, up from £5.85, possibly to cure the night before’s hangover.
According to Wetherspoon, pricing vary across pubs and areas. “Wetherspoon seeks to maintain its pricing as competitive as possible and feels it delivers exceptional value for money on food and drink in its pubs,” the spokeswoman said.
Grab-and-go businesses are also raising their rates, according to data by MailOnline.
In certain locations, a Pret Tuna and Cucumber Baguette costs now $3.80, down from $3.30. It follows a two-year price increase for filter coffee at the well-known lunchtime business.
Customers would only pay 99p for a bag of filter coffee at Pret in 2020. Pret, however, increased the price once again to £1.40 early this year after increasing it to £1.25 previous year.
In stores at railway and tube stations, where many commuters would purchase their beverages, it is presently priced at £1.50.
In station shops, the price of a typical flat white has increased from £2.85 to £3.15.
Additionally, the business recently raised the price of its subscription plan, which entitles consumers to five Barista-made beverages each day (organic coffees, teas, frappes, and hot chocolates).
It follows a price increase by fast food giant McDonald’s last month to £1.19 for its renowned 99p cheeseburger, which had previously seemed to outpace inflation.
It had been more than 14 years since the price of the burger had been raised.
A handful of menu items have also seen price increases. However, because to the franchise structure used by McDonald’s, prices vary from location to location.
It implies that, despite the fact that McDonald’s may suggest pricing, the franchisee ultimately decides on them.
However, analysis by MailOnline reveals that costs have generally gone up for a variety of goods, including the venerable Big Mac medium meal.
Previously, the lunch with beverages and a side cost £5.09, but it now costs £5.39, and $5.49 in other places.
The McCafe line has also increased in price. Regular barista-style coffee, such a cappuccino or flat white, is now costing roughly £1.69, up from the previous price of around $1.49.
Following the announcement of the price increases earlier this year, a McDonald’s representative stated: “This summer, our restaurants will be increasing between 10p and 20p to a number of the menu items most affected by inflation.”
For the first time in more than 14 years, we’ll be raising the price of our cheeseburger, from 99p to £1.19.
Some pricing will continue to differ among our restaurants while others won’t change.
While we are aware that any price increases are unwelcome news, we have done all in our power to minimise and postpone any adjustments.
We’ll keep hearing what you have to say, and we’ll keep looking for ways to solve the cost problems that are now harming our company.
A another business famed for its discounted goods, Bakers Greggs, is also increasing its pricing.
The corporation has been attempting to keep product pricing low despite rising costs for materials, packaging, and energy.
However, the price of its famous sausage roll and its vegan counterpart has increased from £1 to £1.30 from £1 to £1.20 from £1 to £1.
From £1.80 to £1.96, the price of its equally famous steak bake, chicken bake, and sausage and bean melt will also increase.
In the meanwhile, the cost of a triple chocolate doughnut and a caramel doughnut has increased from £1 to £1.09.
But Greggs consumers may still get one well-liked item for less than £1. A Yum Yum will now cost 81p instead of 75p.
In a market where consumer incomes are under pressure, a Greggs spokesperson stated earlier this year: “In a market where consumers are looking for food and drink on the go, Greggs offers exceptional value.”
With a defined expansion plan, “We are well positioned to weather the well publicised issues impacting the economy and continue to have numerous intriguing growth prospects ahead.”