Restaurant owners to hike prices of eatables by 20%?

According to reports, restaurant owners are all set to hike prices of eatables by at least 20 per cent in the next few days.

This development came after the oil companies announced the hike of commercial LPG cylinders by ₹226 last week. This means the 19kg cylinder would now cost ₹1,950.

The Indian Hotels and Restaurant Association (AHAR), a leading association of hoteliers said the hike is almost inevitable.

In an official statement, AHAR president Shivanand Shetty said: “After almost 18 months of lockdown, we are running our businesses with very thin margins. However, the recent LPG cylinder hike of ₹266 has impacted us. An average restaurant needs a minimum of four LPG cylinders daily and it is impossible to sustain with such increase in prices.”

The statement further clarified that the basic price of a dosa price will be ₹90 onwards, which is currently being priced at ₹75. Similarly, dal fry which now costs ₹130 will be charged at ₹160 and mixed vegetable dish is priced at ₹160 will be cost ₹190. The pav bhaji being sold at ₹120 will cost ₹145 onwards, after the hike.

Due to rising inflation owing to coronavirus-induced lockdowns, the restaurants faced huge losses. Against this backdrop, it is being said that the restaurant owners' association have decided to increase the prices of food items.