Key takeaways
The Cheap Eat
How did hamburgers gain such extreme popularity in the U.S.? For starters, they’re relatively cheap to produce, the ingredients are readily available, and they’re a quick and easy meal that can be enjoyed on the go or at the kitchen table.
Burgerflation
While the price of burgers on Toast restaurant menus has been increasing, it has not kept pace with the surge in beef prices in recent months. But the recent rise suggests that restaurants may be finally raising menu prices to offset some of the rising beef costs.
What Affects Pricing
Ground beef is often made from less desirable cuts of meat, making it a cheaper alternative for those hoping to save a few bucks. But burgers are no longer just for fast-food restaurants. From brisket burgers to imported Kobe beef, award-winning burgers are served at Michelin-starred restaurants and fast-casual chains alike.
However, sourcing and processing meat can add significant costs for restaurants. While a significant portion of beef served at restaurants is raised in the U.S., prices can vary widely depending on how the animals were raised.
Cheese and bun prices can also affect burger prices. While there’s nothing more classic than two slices of American cheese on a burger, more complex cheeses that require time to age and develop can cost a premium.
Key Factors in Recent Years
Beef prices have soared for various reasons, including a decreasing herd size while demand has stayed high, according to the Associated Press.
Supply chain issues from the COVID-19 pandemic, labor shortages, production costs at meatpacking plants, export demands, and droughts have collectively pushed meat prices higher in recent years.
Sourcing vegetables has faced similar challenges in recent years. Seasonal and migrant farm workers are in short supply. At the same time, climate issues and drought in Western states like California, which produces a large percentage of vegetables in the U.S., have increased costs and limited production, driving up prices.
The prices of a burger can vary greatly from restaurant to restaurant, depending on how many upgrades the chef has made to this American staple.
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About the Toast Menu Price Monitor
The Menu Price Monitor, powered by Toast, uncovers key menu pricing trends across the restaurant industry through aggregated sales data from restaurants on the Toast platform, which has approximately 156,000 locations as of Sept. 30, 2025. This information is provided for general informational purposes only, and publication does not constitute an endorsement. Toast does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information, text, graphics, links, or other items contained within this content. Individual results may vary. Toast does not guarantee you will achieve any specific results if you follow any advice herein. It may be advisable for you to consult with a professional such as a lawyer, accountant, or business advisor for advice specific to your situation. The Toast Menu Item Price Tracker does not indicate Toast's operational performance or its reported financial metrics.
