Why You Can’t Afford Restaurants in 2025

Eating out feels unaffordable—and the data backs it up. In this episode, Justin and Ray unpack why menu prices keep rising, why value perception has flipped for fast-casual, and what the future may hold. We also explore Picnic, a workplace lunch app that could shift weekday demand, and the Seattle Times' recent review of Canlis.#affordableproducts #costofliving #savingmoney #restaurant

0:00 Intro1:55 Restaurant Affordability Crisis23:29 The Chipotle/Sweetgreen Issue34:15 Michelin Coverage Response51:46 Picnic1:00:40 Canlis Seattle Times Poor Review1:11:49 Josh Henderson Eater ArticleWhat we cover:📈 Pricing trends & the RPI🧾 Fast-casual value perception (Sweetgreen)💸 Why Americans say dining out is “too expensive”🍽️ The Canlis review and price expectations⚠️ Operator lessons from rise-and-fall stories🥪 How Picnic could change weekday lunch patterns

• Most Americans Priced Out Of Dining Out

• How Restaurant Prices Keep Getting More Expensive

• Fast-Casual Pricing Problem (Sweetgreen)

• Restaurant Performance Index (Sept 2025 PDF)

• Restaurant Menu Pricing Data (Restaurant.org)

• Seattle Times Canlis Review

• How To Build, Then Lose, A Restaurant Empire

• Picnic (Workplace Lunch App)

  
  

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