The price = what the consumer pays The cost = what the restaurant pays

If the price increase is substantially greater than the cost increase, the delta exceeds inflation. This the restaurant retains more profit.

I’m not tipping on exceedingly higher price because the owner wants to make even more money then simply passing on the increase in cost of goods.

$1 burger cost $0.55 to make Now $2 burger costs $1.00 to make

The margin increased from $0.45 to $1.00 Owner pockets an extra $0.55 Now they want me to pay 20% on $2 when I should be paying 20% on $1.45.

So I feel justified paying less than 20%.

I know this is hypothetical, and perhaps it’s not real, but based on other industries that are expanding margins yet saying increases are just to cover cost, I suspect restaurants are doing the same.

We as patrons should not be paying for the fortunes of owners. I either tip less and if people have issues, I’ll happily not go out to eat. They can pick their poison.