---
title: Lunchflation is real — and office workers are feeling it
description: Lunch prices have shot up several dollars due to labor, supply chain, and inflation issues.
---

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# [Lunchflation is real — and office workers are feeling it](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/03232022-lunchflation)

 Written by [Juliet Bennett Rylah](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/author/juliet-bennett-rylah) | Mar 23, 2022 6:36:38 AM

The return to the office has been difficult for several reasons — gas prices, readapting to being in public, putting on pants. But there’s another woe on the rise: lunchflation.

As of February, restaurant prices were up 6.8% YoY, [per](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm) the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s the largest 12-month increase since 1981.

#### **The culprits: Food and labor**

The Producer Price Index for all food increased 14.3% between January 2021 and January 2022, while average hourly earnings among restaurant employees jumped 13.2%, [per](https://restaurant.org/research-and-media/research/economists-notebook/economic-indicators/menu-prices/) the National Restaurant Association.

Meanwhile, Starbucks [announced](https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/starbucks-navigates-omicron-challenges-raises-prices/618359/) in February it would have to accelerate its price hikes and cut marketing to make up for increased transportation costs and supply chain issues.

#### **What does lunchflation feel like?**

Payments company Square analyzed the cost of lunch staples in major US cities and found significant YoY increases.

- Wraps: +18%
- Sandwiches: +14%
- Salads: +11%
- Burgers: +8%

*The Wall Street Journal *[spoke](https://www.wsj.com/articles/inflation-lunch-work-from-home-11647611074) with workers who found their usual orders have increased by $4-$10.

Coupled with surging gas prices, expensive food is yet another reason some are hoping to return to remote work. Others lament they’re missing team-building opportunities because they can’t afford lunch out with colleagues.

And while a packed lunch is almost always cheaper than going out, grocery prices are up 8.6% YoY — also the largest increase since 1981.

**BTW:** *CNBC* has some grocery-saving [tips](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/12/how-to-save-at-the-supermarket-as-inflation-hits-food-prices-hard.html), including meal planning to avoid waste and changing up your menu to cut back on pricey items.

[View full post](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/03232022-lunchflation)

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