You may have had this question on your mind for a while: “Why is breakfast so expensive?” Or maybe you’re just starting to wonder. Either way, we want to answer your question and provide you with some insight into what’s going on, so we compiled the 10 best reasons why breakfast can be expensive.
Here are 10 reasons why breakfast is so expensive:
1: Breakfast is comprised of ingredients that are not typically included in other meals – Eggs, milk, bacon.
These ingredients are “specialty” items that make up the majority of breakfast foods. About 3/4 of the cost of eggs is attributed to production costs (given how popular eggs are and how many people eat them in the U.S.). The same goes with milk, where almost 90% of the cost goes towards the production of milk (whereas there are only 30 million gallons made every day, I think that number excludes the cost of cows). Finally, bacon is another popular specialty item that accounts for the cost of bacon being more expensive than other breakfast meat options (pork sausage).
2: Breakfast is typically served at “premium” times
According to a report by Restaurant Marketing Labs, the average visit duration to a restaurant (breakfast and lunch) was 2 hours and 40 minutes, compared to 2 hours and 25 minutes for dinner/supper. The majority of this time is spent waiting for tables and not eating.
3: Breakfast foods are viewed as “specialty”
From what we’ve seen from customers, breakfast is often perceived as a “specialty” meal where the customer expects to pay more for the product. This perception can be attributed to the high costs associated with the production of eggs and milk, which then has its price reflected in other breakfast meals.
4: Breakfast has become the most popular meal of the day
Breakfast has become the most popular meal of the day. In 2012, Americans consumed approximately 17 billion pancakes, 7 billion eggs, 1 billion omelets, and 15 billion biscuits. These numbers come from a study by Technomic that defines breakfast as “a meal eaten between 7 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.” including breakfasts served at restaurants, as well as those eaten in residential settings.
5: Breakfast is seen as “a meal”
Breakfast foods are perceived like other meals. Whether it’s a family meal or a restaurant meal, many see breakfast as “a meal”. This perception can cause people to pay more for the product, which then allows restaurants to make more money on breakfast items.
6: Breakfast is typically served with coffee and pastries
Starbucks Coffee accounts for the majority of sales of coffee in the United States and around the world. Starbucks coffee accounts for approximately 30% of all coffee consumed in the U.S. and around the world. Most people see Starbucks coffee as a “premium” type of drink that they would purchase at a restaurant or café.
The same goes with pastries, which account for approximately 44% of sales at breakfast restaurants in the U.S., which are usually seen as “premium” items served at breakfast spots (they are like mini breadbaskets).
7: Breakfast is “a meal of convenience”
Most people think of breakfast as a quick meal to grab, often on their way to work or school. This “grab and go” mentality allows customers to buy more food for their money (e.g., large breakfasts).
8: Breakfast is typically served with other meals
Breakfast can be served as part of a combo meal or in combination with another meal. For example, a “breakfast combo” with orange juice or coffee, followed by eggs, bacon, or sausage links, and French toast is a popular combination. This combination is typically seen as “a way to save money” at breakfast.
9: Breakfast is perceived to be a “specialty” meal
In the minds of many people, breakfast can be viewed as a “specialty” food item (e.g., eggs are an expensive product). Breakfast is also seen as a “specialty” meal where people would pay more for the product. Not only that, but consumers also see Starbucks coffee and pastries (e.g., muffins) as “specialty” items that can be served at restaurants.
10: The price of other breakfast foods is going down
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the prices for eggs, milk, and butter have decreased since the year 2007. (Other breakfast foods like bacon, sausage, and cereals have remained fairly consistent in terms of price). According to USDA Food Price Outlook, egg prices will fluctuate a little to decrease by 0.9% from last month. Despite this fact, it’s still important that restaurants make a profit on breakfast items (breakfast simply cannot be seen as a “loss leader” or else they won’t make any money).
Thanks for reading and if you have any comments please leave them below. We hope that this article gives you a good understanding of why breakfast is so expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much does dinner cost?
Dinner is so much more than just eating, it’s a time to bring people together and experience the tastes and flavors of different cultures while enjoying each other’s company. Dinners have evolved into multi-course meals with entertainment thrown in for good measure. The average person will spend around $35 on an average dinner out. Dinner for two can run to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the restaurant.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eTo calculate how much a dinner will cost you:u003cbru003eu003cbru003eDress in formal wear and make sure everything is perfect. Be content with the same thing every time you eat out. If you choose to have dessert at the end, buy one while you are at it. Add $9 per person to your bill. This is a tip amount that no one should ever have to pay.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eExpenses:u003cbru003eu003cbru003ethe average cost of one entree for one person is $10. If you are eating at a high-end restaurant, expect to pay around $30 for an entree.u003cbru003eu003cbru003ethe average cost of one entree for one person is $10. If you are eating at a high-end restaurant, expect to pay around $30 for an entree. Service: add 10% to the bill because no one should ever have to wait in line when they are waiting on you.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eadd 10% to the bill because no one should ever have to wait in line when they are waiting on you. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eAlcohol: u003cbru003eu003cbru003eyour bill will naturally be higher the more alcohol is consumed since a table charges per drink.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eyour bill will naturally be higher the more alcohol is consumed since a table charges per drink. Lodging: If you go out of town, expect to pay up to $100/day, plus extra for travel expenses, as everything from hotels to taxis can add up quickly. If you stay home, expect to pay around $35/night for a hotel.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eIf you go out of town, expect to pay up to $100/day, plus extra for travel expenses, as everything from hotels to taxis can add up quickly. If you stay home, expect to pay around $35/night for a hotel. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eEntertainment : u003cbru003eu003cbru003eAround 15% will be added just because every person should have something pleasurable and fun in their lives.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eAround 15% will be added just because every person should have something pleasurable and fun in their lives.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eTaxes: add 20%.
What is the most expensive breakfast ever?
This is a question that must be answered, and the answer would be – one of the most expensive breakfasts in history! It is also interesting to find out what was included in this breakfast. Many people would say that it was just a plain omelet made with cream and eggs but they were wrong! It had more than 20 pounds of caviar, black truffles as well à la carte, beluga caviar, and chevre. That is a lot of caviar and truffle for anyone to eat, but the Englishman who ordered this breakfast paid for it.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eThe Englishman in question was Sultan Bachtiar Agung III of Brunei, in the past known as Prince Ali, who is not only a prolific traveler but also a collector of expensive luxuries. The breakfast (although there are variations on it) would set him back $300,000. He ordered it at his hotel, The Connaught in London, England. It was a celebration of Brunei’s 25th anniversary as a constitutional monarchy and his birthday. There are a few people who have eaten this breakfast according to various sources but the most celebrated was Bill Gates who took some pictures of it and had the caviar sent to him (along with his bill). Another person who ate this breakfast is Prince Charles. When asked about the caviar, he replied u0022It looks completely unappetizing. I’m sure it’s tasteless.u0022 When asked why he ate it, he said u0022Because I was invited.u0022 He had a smaller amount of it in his private dining room at Sandringham House.
