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"The omelet is insanely expensive for what’s actually in it" – Here’s what restaurants profit from the most

Barbara Lee2 min read
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"The omelet is insanely expensive for what’s actually in it" – Here’s what restaurants profit from the most — Lifestyle
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Edamame

Edamame
According to Forbes, the salty, flavorful edamame probably started as a big bag of frozen beans costing the restaurant about $2 per half kilo. A splash of soy sauce and salt barely registers in the budget, meaning the $7 portion costs roughly 12.5 times more than the actual food price.

Guacamole

Guacamole
Guacamole is always a treat, and we get that it’s a little luxury worth paying extra for—but did you know how much extra? A single spoonful at burrito spots can cost the equivalent of $2, marking a 250% markup—and that’s before we even mention the $13 guacamole bowls.

Pancakes

Pancakes
We know there’s little more tempting at brunch than a tall stack of steaming pancakes. But you’re better off making them yourself on lazy Sundays. A serving of pancakes (just a few cheap ingredients: flour, baking soda, eggs, and milk) costs only 23 cents. At a restaurant, that same plate runs about $6. Add as much chocolate chips, whipped cream, and strawberries as you want—and you’ll still get a better deal in your pajamas.

Pizza Toppings

Pizza Toppings
Whether you’re a meat lover or vegetarian, pizza toppings come with a steep markup. Each topping costs the restaurant just a few dollars, but these extras add about $1.50–$2 to the pizza price, according to PlateIQ’s analysis.

Omelettes

Omelettes
You probably know from grocery shopping how much a carton of eggs costs, so it’s easy to guess the base cost of a three-egg omelet. But PlateIQ says you’re paying a 470%–570% markup even after adding toppings like ham and cheese or spinach and mushrooms.

Pasta

Pasta
Even a serving of dry pasta with homemade sauce costs the restaurant just a few dollars. Unless the restaurant makes fresh pasta on-site, a $9 pasta dish carries a pretty high markup.

Coffee

Coffee
Following Starbucks’ ground coffee instructions, you pay about 20 cents per cup to make it yourself. Buying a similar coffee at the store costs 825% more than brewing it at home.

Cover photo: Liudmila Chernetska/istockphoto.com, photos: pexels.com
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