It confirmed that it has obtained official approvals for the increase after the increase in the prices of some foodstuffs and the cost of operation

Consumers: Restaurants raise the prices of their meals by up to 12%

Restaurants confirmed that reducing the profit margin may expose them to losses and threaten their sustainability. Cinematographer: Patrick Castillo

Consumers reported that restaurants in Dubai and Sharjah raised the prices of their meals by varying percentages, during the recent period, noting that the increases, which reached more than 12%, included fast food chains and Arab restaurants.

They told Emirates Today that they noticed that the varying price increases between restaurants were gradual.

For their part, restaurant officials attributed these increases after obtaining official approvals to the increase in the prices of some foodstuffs used in preparing meals, and the increase in operating costs, pointing out that reducing the profit margin when working under the pressure of additional costs may expose the restaurant to losses and threaten its continuity in the future.

Popular Restaurants

In detail, consumer Majid Samir said that famous fast food chains in Dubai have increased the prices of their meals in varying proportions and suddenly during the recent period, pointing out that this increases the financial burdens for families, especially with the spread of branches of these restaurants in various areas and food halls in commercial centers, which makes them one of the options available to families.

Consumer Mona Kamel confirmed that there are restaurants in Dubai and Sharjah that have recently raised the prices of their meals, including restaurants for fast food chains and restaurants for Arabic food, pointing out that the price increases that were made in varying proportions between restaurants, reached about 10%.

Gradual lifting

Consumer Mustafa Naeem said he was surprised that one Arab restaurant raised the prices of its meals from 32 dirhams to 35 dirhams, while other restaurants increased their prices from 30 dirhams to 33 dirhams, noting that the increases included different meals.

Consumer Yasser Hossam said that Arab and fast food restaurants, in addition to outlets selling coffee and baked goods, have gradually raised their prices during the recent period, considering them unjustified.

He explained that several restaurants increased the prices of their meals from 40 dirhams to 45 dirhams, an increase of more than 12%, while others increased their prices from 33 dirhams to 36 dirhams.

Approvals

Consumer, Mahmoud Abdul Rahman, said that famous restaurant chains in Dubai and Sharjah recently raised the prices of their meals from 28 dirhams to 30 dirhams, and from 26 dirhams to 28 dirhams, pointing out that when he inquired from restaurant officials about the reason for the increase, they confirmed that they had obtained official approvals from the competent authorities to increase prices.

The reasons

Mahmoud Samih, the official of the hall in an Arab restaurant, explained that the recent rise in the prices of some foodstuffs prompted many restaurants to increase the prices of their meals to avoid losses or inability to continue working in the long term.

Sami Karam, the manager in charge of a restaurant, explained that the main reason for the price increases is due to the increase in operating costs and the high prices of materials used in preparing meals, especially poultry, eggs and other products.

It was agreed that reducing the profit margin of restaurants when operating under the pressure of high additional costs, may expose them to losses and lack of continuity in the future.

The branch manager of one of the fast food chains, who only identified his name as «G.M.», said that the prices of meals were increased according to a study of the variables of operating cost and the rise in food prices, forcing restaurants to submit official requests to increase prices.

Price increases included popular fast food chains and Arab restaurants.