How much is that steak? Record high beef prices force restaurants to rethink menus Emma Wozniak, Columbus Dispatch September 26, 2025 at 1:54 AM 1 City Barbeque, a fastcasual barbecue restaurant chain founded in Columbus, Ohio, is used to selling just under 4 million pounds of brisket a year across ...
- - How much is that steak? Record high beef prices force restaurants to rethink menus
Emma Wozniak, Columbus Dispatch September 26, 2025 at 1:54 AM
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City Barbeque, a fast-casual barbecue restaurant chain founded in Columbus, Ohio, is used to selling just under 4 million pounds of brisket a year across the 11 states it serves.
After all, the "premium barbecue experience" is what City Barbeque prides itself on, said Rachel Demers, the company's senior director of supply chain — and for customers, that means brisket.
This year, though, City Barbeque is preparing for a shift in consumer preference toward other proteins like chicken or pork. Not because customers won't want beef anymore, Demers said, but because some won't be willing to pay more than $11 for a brisket sandwich.
Steaks and hamburgers are prepared on the grill at Little West Tavern in Franklinton, Ohio on Sept. 10, 2025. With the prices of beef soaring, chefs are getting creative with how they purchase, prepare and store the meat. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch
As of July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported the average retail beef price as $9.69 per pound. The same time a year ago, that price was $8.43 per pound. Six years ago in 2019, that number was $6.09.
"It definitely puts local restaurants under financial strain," Demers said. "The profit margins definitely remain tighter than ever."
While City Barbeque has tried to absorb as much of the national price surge as it can, the restaurant has had to raise the cost of certain menu items. The same brisket sandwich that's priced at $11.49 today used to cost $9.99 in April or May, Demers said.
"It's not that they complain," Demers said, when asked whether customers have vocalized frustration over beef prices increasing. "They just don't come in as often because they don't have as much expendable cash."
Steaks and hamburgers are prepared on the grill at Little West Tavern in Franklinton, Ohio on Sept. 10, 2025. With the prices of beef soaring, chefs are getting creative with how they purchase, prepare and store the meat.Why is the cost of beef so high?
The explanation for the recent surge in beef prices is complex, but essentially chalks up to an issue of supply and demand.
On one side of the equation is the fact that farmers are facing a historically small cattle herd, said Elizabeth Harsh, executive director for the Ohio Cattlemen's Association. During last year's severe statewide drought, Harsh said many farmers had to sell off their animals, not having the necessary plants to feed them.
Beef prices at all-time high: Why grilling costs a lot more this year
On the demand side of things, Harsh characterized consumers' want for beef as "as high as it's been in 40 years," so much so that she said national beef sales have actually risen 6.3% from last year despite record-high prices.
Steaks and hamburgers are prepared for the grill at Little West Tavern in Franklinton, Ohio on Sept. 10, 2025. With the prices of beef soaring, chefs are getting creative with how they purchase, prepare and store the meat.
One other variable at play is that the cost to raise cattle — including expenses for fuel, equipment, land, energy, labor and more — has also risen, moving farmers to increase what they charge for beef to compensate.
Though cattle farmers may be benefiting from higher prices, she said, they're also paying more. And with all these factors at play, she added it's important to remember that farmers are "price takers, not price setters."
"They're not the villain," Harsh said. "And sometimes I think it's incorrect when we paint them that way."
How have businesses been impacted by record-high beef prices?
City Barbeque isn't the only business facing challenges because of the beef market.
Little West Tavern, a restaurant inside The Junto hotel in downtown Columbus that serves several cuts of steak, said national beef prices haven't affected menu pricing or the quantity of beef purchased, though the restaurant has had to absorb higher costs on its signature items, according to an email statement from executive chef Don Petito.
Petito said because Little West Tavern is an independent restaurant without "the buying power" of a national chain, the current market has forced the restaurant to be more strategic about how it buys beef by finding ways to offset higher beef-related expenses, like controlling waste.
Food prices in 2025: Why beef prices keep rising — and what it means for ranchers and consumers
"The advantage is that we're deeply connected to our purveyors and local farms, which gives us flexibility that big chains don't always have," Petito said in a statement. "We can shift quickly to bring in whole animals, or collaborate directly with producers to get the best quality at a fair price."
White Castle, whose headquarters are in Columbus, said in an email statement that while beef has "slightly exceeded" the company's cost projection for the summer, it has not required a price increase.
According to the statement, the current beef market has played a role in White Castle's decision to shift its promotional focus toward other non-beef products like chicken and pork sliders.
Consumer Reports, the nonprofit known for testing and monitoring consumer-facing policy and products, released its annual risky food report in April, naming the 10 foods of 2024 that were subject to the most recalls and/or associated with the largest illness outbreaks. USA TODAY broke it down further on a what-you-need-to-know basis.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Consumer Reports, the nonprofit known for testing and monitoring consumer-facing policy and products, released its annual risky food report in April, naming the 10 foods of 2024 that were subject to the most recalls and/or associated with the largest illness outbreaks. USA TODAY broke it down further on a what-you-need-to-know basis.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ZYs4VmE class=caas-img data-headline="See the "risky foods" linked to recent US recalls and illness outbreaks" data-caption="
Consumer Reports, the nonprofit known for testing and monitoring consumer-facing policy and products, released its annual risky food report in April, naming the 10 foods of 2024 that were subject to the most recalls and/or associated with the largest illness outbreaks. USA TODAY broke it down further on a what-you-need-to-know basis.
">Consumer Reports, the nonprofit known for testing and monitoring consumer-facing policy and products, released its annual risky food report in April, naming the 10 foods of 2024 that were subject to the most recalls and/or associated with the largest illness outbreaks. USA TODAY broke it down further on a what-you-need-to-know basis.
" src=https://ift.tt/ZYs4VmE class=caas-img>Boar's Head listeria outbreak that killed 10. Listeria monocytogenes is a hardy germ that can survive in very low temperatures but thrives in cool and damp places. It can, and will, happily live on foods in your or your grocery store's storage area, and the process for mass-producing the meat lends itself to plenty of opportunities for contamination.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Deli meat is somewhat of a "risky" food as it is often associated with the spread of listeria, such as in the 2024 case of the Boar's Head listeria outbreak that killed 10. Listeria monocytogenes is a hardy germ that can survive in very low temperatures but thrives in cool and damp places. It can, and will, happily live on foods in your or your grocery store's storage area, and the process for mass-producing the meat lends itself to plenty of opportunities for contamination.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lG7fprZ class=caas-img data-headline="See the "risky foods" linked to recent US recalls and illness outbreaks" data-caption="
Deli meat is somewhat of a "risky" food as it is often associated with the spread of listeria, such as in the 2024 case of the Boar's Head listeria outbreak that killed 10. Listeria monocytogenes is a hardy germ that can survive in very low temperatures but thrives in cool and damp places. It can, and will, happily live on foods in your or your grocery store's storage area, and the process for mass-producing the meat lends itself to plenty of opportunities for contamination.
">Deli meat is somewhat of a "risky" food as it is often associated with the spread of listeria, such as in the 2024 case of the Boar's Head listeria outbreak that killed 10. Listeria monocytogenes is a hardy germ that can survive in very low temperatures but thrives in cool and damp places. It can, and will, happily live on foods in your or your grocery store's storage area, and the process for mass-producing the meat lends itself to plenty of opportunities for contamination.
" src=https://ift.tt/lG7fprZ class=caas-img>cucumbers recalled due to a salmonella outbreak that infected 113 people across 23 states, can become adulterated with E. coli through fecal contamination, which can occur through wastewater, water in the growing area, fertilizer and the proximity of the growing area to livestock.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Produce, like the cucumbers recalled due to a salmonella outbreak that infected 113 people across 23 states, can become adulterated with E. coli through fecal contamination, which can occur through wastewater, water in the growing area, fertilizer and the proximity of the growing area to livestock.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/gsy8pV7 class=caas-img data-headline="See the "risky foods" linked to recent US recalls and illness outbreaks" data-caption="
Produce, like the cucumbers recalled due to a salmonella outbreak that infected 113 people across 23 states, can become adulterated with E. coli through fecal contamination, which can occur through wastewater, water in the growing area, fertilizer and the proximity of the growing area to livestock.
">Produce, like the cucumbers recalled due to a salmonella outbreak that infected 113 people across 23 states, can become adulterated with E. coli through fecal contamination, which can occur through wastewater, water in the growing area, fertilizer and the proximity of the growing area to livestock.
" src=https://ift.tt/gsy8pV7 class=caas-img>Raw dairy, which is always unsafe to consume and illegal to sell in some states, poses a risk when it's not pasteurized. Dairy pasteurization, or heating milk products to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria, has been practiced since the 1920s and has resulted in illnesses commonly spread via milk, such as listeriosis, diphtheria and tuberculosis, becoming less prevalent.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/mwHOYcE class=caas-img data-headline="See the "risky foods" linked to recent US recalls and illness outbreaks" data-caption="
Raw dairy, which is always unsafe to consume and illegal to sell in some states, poses a risk when it's not pasteurized. Dairy pasteurization, or heating milk products to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria, has been practiced since the 1920s and has resulted in illnesses commonly spread via milk, such as listeriosis, diphtheria and tuberculosis, becoming less prevalent.
">Raw dairy, which is always unsafe to consume and illegal to sell in some states, poses a risk when it's not pasteurized. Dairy pasteurization, or heating milk products to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria, has been practiced since the 1920s and has resulted in illnesses commonly spread via milk, such as listeriosis, diphtheria and tuberculosis, becoming less prevalent.
" src=https://ift.tt/mwHOYcE class=caas-img>Rizo-Lopez Foods, was shut down in October 2024 after its cheeses were linked to a years-long listeria outbreak that killed two people and made dozens of others sick.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Cotija and queso fresco cheese are made from unpasteurized milk, meaning they carry an increased risk. One producer, Rizo-Lopez Foods, was shut down in October 2024 after its cheeses were linked to a years-long listeria outbreak that killed two people and made dozens of others sick.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lMDTZ46 class=caas-img data-headline="See the "risky foods" linked to recent US recalls and illness outbreaks" data-caption="
Cotija and queso fresco cheese are made from unpasteurized milk, meaning they carry an increased risk. One producer, Rizo-Lopez Foods, was shut down in October 2024 after its cheeses were linked to a years-long listeria outbreak that killed two people and made dozens of others sick.
">Cotija and queso fresco cheese are made from unpasteurized milk, meaning they carry an increased risk. One producer, Rizo-Lopez Foods, was shut down in October 2024 after its cheeses were linked to a years-long listeria outbreak that killed two people and made dozens of others sick.
" src=https://ift.tt/lMDTZ46 class=caas-img>Eggs can become contaminated via the same means as cucumbers and other raw produce, especially if they have a cracked shell.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/uzZVHbK class=caas-img data-headline="See the "risky foods" linked to recent US recalls and illness outbreaks" data-caption="
Eggs can become contaminated via the same means as cucumbers and other raw produce, especially if they have a cracked shell.
">Eggs can become contaminated via the same means as cucumbers and other raw produce, especially if they have a cracked shell.
" src=https://ift.tt/uzZVHbK class=caas-img>McDonald's Quarter Pounders triggered some locations to stop serving the burger temporarily.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Like other raw produce, onions can become infected via fecal contamination. In 2024, E. coli-contaminated slivered onions on McDonald's Quarter Pounders triggered some locations to stop serving the burger temporarily.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/bgPR1QO class=caas-img data-headline="See the "risky foods" linked to recent US recalls and illness outbreaks" data-caption="
Like other raw produce, onions can become infected via fecal contamination. In 2024, E. coli-contaminated slivered onions on McDonald's Quarter Pounders triggered some locations to stop serving the burger temporarily.
">Like other raw produce, onions can become infected via fecal contamination. In 2024, E. coli-contaminated slivered onions on McDonald's Quarter Pounders triggered some locations to stop serving the burger temporarily.
" src=https://ift.tt/bgPR1QO class=caas-img>Solata Foods spinach recall in 2024.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Like cucumbers and onions, leafy greens are easily contaminated with bacteria like E. coli, as in the case of the Solata Foods spinach recall in 2024.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/vqzNl6F class=caas-img data-headline="See the "risky foods" linked to recent US recalls and illness outbreaks" data-caption="
Like cucumbers and onions, leafy greens are easily contaminated with bacteria like E. coli, as in the case of the Solata Foods spinach recall in 2024.
">Like cucumbers and onions, leafy greens are easily contaminated with bacteria like E. coli, as in the case of the Solata Foods spinach recall in 2024.
" src=https://ift.tt/vqzNl6F class=caas-img>major E. coli outbreak in late 2024, leaving at least 39 ill and one dead.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Organic carrots were linked to a major E. coli outbreak in late 2024, leaving at least 39 ill and one dead.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/QBiKZVO class=caas-img data-headline="See the "risky foods" linked to recent US recalls and illness outbreaks" data-caption="
Organic carrots were linked to a major E. coli outbreak in late 2024, leaving at least 39 ill and one dead.
">Organic carrots were linked to a major E. coli outbreak in late 2024, leaving at least 39 ill and one dead.
" src=https://ift.tt/QBiKZVO class=caas-img>millions of pounds of RTE foods were recalled by BrucePac for listeria contamination.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Ready-to-eat/cooked poultry and meat have been the source of multiple major recalls and foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years. The same issue arises with RTE foods as with deli meat; the conditions they are made and stored under are often ideal for bacteria such as listeria to grow. In 2024, millions of pounds of RTE foods were recalled by BrucePac for listeria contamination.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/LVIeYBj class=caas-img data-headline="See the "risky foods" linked to recent US recalls and illness outbreaks" data-caption="
Ready-to-eat/cooked poultry and meat have been the source of multiple major recalls and foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years. The same issue arises with RTE foods as with deli meat; the conditions they are made and stored under are often ideal for bacteria such as listeria to grow. In 2024, millions of pounds of RTE foods were recalled by BrucePac for listeria contamination.
">Ready-to-eat/cooked poultry and meat have been the source of multiple major recalls and foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years. The same issue arises with RTE foods as with deli meat; the conditions they are made and stored under are often ideal for bacteria such as listeria to grow. In 2024, millions of pounds of RTE foods were recalled by BrucePac for listeria contamination.
" src=https://ift.tt/LVIeYBj class=caas-img>
1 / 10See the "risky foods" linked to recent US recalls and illness outbreaks
Consumer Reports, the nonprofit known for testing and monitoring consumer-facing policy and products, released its annual risky food report in April, naming the 10 foods of 2024 that were subject to the most recalls and/or associated with the largest illness outbreaks. USA TODAY broke it down further on a what-you-need-to-know basis.
John Barker, president and CEO of the Ohio Restaurant and Hospitality Alliance, said this strategy has become more common in light of the current beef market, with many restaurants traditionally known for beef products turning to other meats to lower their overall food cost and make additional sales.
"For example, Taco Bell is now offering chicken nuggets, which, if you thought about that 10 years ago, you'd say that doesn't make any sense, right?" Barker said. "But for them, if they're able to move their product mix a little bit from beef to chicken during this time, that can really help them."
Barker said the restaurant industry is a resilient one that's no stranger to setbacks. That said, the impacts of such expensive beef costs are "serious," more than just an everyday bump in the road.
Beyond the beef market, Barker said national food costs have generally been roughly 35% above average over the last five years.
"We haven't seen anything like that," Barker said. "That's the overall pressure, and then you layer on things like [the beef market] on top of it — that's the issue for restaurants. Their profitability is really being pressured."
When will beef prices drop?
Barker said the Ohio Restaurant and Hospitality Alliance doesn't expect beef prices to drop until at least late 2027, because that's how long it will take for cattle farmers' herds to be restored.
"This is gonna be with us for a while," Barker said. "It's our new normal."
And for City Barbeque, that's a concerning prospect, Demers said, especially as holiday season — one of the restaurant's busiest times — draws closer.
"It's definitely not something that's quickly going away," Demers said. "It's a life cycle of a herd. The cattle cannot be fixed within six weeks; it's 18 months at the fastest that a new herd is coming through and ready to be harvested."
Reporter Emma Wozniak can be reached at [email protected] or @emma_wozniak_ on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Restaurants, cattle farmer talk record high beef prices
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