Restaurants feel the inflation heat: 90 per cent in B.C. have raised prices

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeBusinessLocal BusinessNewsLocal News Restaurants feel the inflation heat: 90 per cent in B.C. have raised prices Bottoms-up is harder in the elbows-up world, as the rising costs of food, fuel and wages for restaurants are being passed on to the consumer. Author of the article: By J.J. Adams Published Sep 18, 2026 Last updated 10 hours ago 4 minute read Join the conversation While 80 per cent of restaurants across Canada have had to raise their prices in the past 12 months, that number climbs to 90 in B.C. PHOTO BY ADOBE STOCK /PNG Article content Yes, that burger you just ordered does cost more than it did last year. Article content A recent report shows that 90 per cent of B.C. restaurants have been forced to raise their prices in the past 12 months — and more than half say they will be forced to do it again in the coming year. That surpassed the national average of 80 per cent. Article content Article content A Léger report commissioned by Econolease, a company that provides financing solutions for hospitality equipment, shows that nine-in-10 operators have increased those menu prices because of rising costs. Of those operators, 58 per cent say the rising costs are due to labour and wages, while 53 per cent also cite supply costs. Article content Article content Elsewhere in the country, only 32 per cent of operators reported rising rent or occupancy costs as a reason for increased menu prices, as opposed to 45 per cent in B.C. Article content FP West: Energy Insider SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: FP West: Energy Insider brings you behind the oilpatch’s closed doors with exclusive insights from insiders every Wednesday morning. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content “It’s really challenging for the industry to make any profit in British Columbia,” said Ian Tostenson, president of the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association. Article content “Restaurants, according to Restaurants Canada stats, about 45 per cent of them, are either breaking even or losing money.” Article content Ian Tostenson, president of the B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association. PHOTO BY STUART MCNISH Article content He used the example of a medium-sized restaurant that has $2 million in sales annually, saying the data shows it would…