Zitti | 2023 in a bite

Restaurants are overcharged up to 51% on food products

Synthesizing thousands of pricing data points gathered in real-time from the nation’s largest food distributors, Zitti has compiled a report that reveals an alarming trend: prices on identical food items can vary by as much as 51%.

The report also illuminates price trends for essential products. While commodity price trends are publicly accessible, Zitti provides insights into actual wholesale prices, which encompass all factors influencing food distributors' quotes to restaurants—impacting the consumer more significantly.

This egregious price variance, particularly at a time when food costs comprise a third of restaurant expenses, highlights the need for the transparency and actionable insights Zitti delivers through our universal Order Guides.

27%

Zitti customers see an average price difference of 27% from suppliers on items included in their Order Guide

Wholesale Q4 price trends

Here's how prices on key items have moved in the last 60 days

Eggs extra large

+51%

Strawberries

+41%

Tomato plum

+14%

Lettuce romaine

+3%

Chicken breast

-14%

Zitti saves restaurants over 5% on food costs

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Price variances by category

We compared prices across major suppliers to expose some of the biggest price variances our customers experience. All items compared below are exact matches, meaning they are the same brand, quality, and pack specifications.

Meat, eggs & dairy

High-value items like meats, eggs, and cheeses had some of the biggest price variances. This can have a significant impact on a restaurant's bottom line.

Produce

Produce items see some of the most frequent price changes, making it more difficult for restaurant owners and chefs to differentiate price changes due to seasonality from food inflation.

Dry, canned & other

Most restaurants are sensitive to price changes on produce or meats. This makes pantry items more vulnerable to price inflation to maintain margins for suppliers.

Price variance graph on dry, canned, and other goods

Price variances by category

Meat, eggs & dairy

High-value items like meats, eggs, and cheeses had some of the biggest price variances and can have a significant impact on a restaurant's bottom line.

Produce

Produce items see some of the most frequent price changes, which makes it more difficult for restaurant owners and chefs to differentiate price changes due to seasonality from food inflation.

Dried, canned & other

Pantry items are often where price inflation hides.

Price variances by category

Meat, eggs & dairy

High-value items like meats, eggs, and cheeses had some of the biggest price variances and can have a significant impact on a restaurant's bottom line.

Produce

Produce items see some of the most frequent price changes, which makes it more difficult for restaurant owners and chefs to differentiate price changes due to seasonality from food inflation.

Dried, canned & other

Pantry items are often where price inflation hides.

Concern Grows Over Food Industry's Profit-Driven Price Hikes

The food industry implementing excessive price increases to drive profits is a growing concern. Recent analyses, including reports by CNBC and Forbes, corroborate Zitti's findings, showing how major players in the food industry have amplified inflation to increase profits.

As Robert Reich, former U.S. Labor Secretary, points out, food corporations are masking behind inflation to hike prices, intensifying the strain on restaurants.

2023 in a bite

Our year-end insights report uncovers huge price variances and food cost trends for restaurants

Restaurants are overcharged up to 51% on food products

27%

Wholesale Q4 price trends

+51%

+41%

+14%

+3%

-14%

Zitti saves restaurants over 5% on food costs

Price variances by category

Meat, eggs & dairy

Produce

Dry, canned & other

Price variances by category

Meat, eggs & dairy

Produce

Dried, canned & other

Price variances by category

Meat, eggs & dairy

Produce

Dried, canned & other

Concern Grows Over Food Industry's Profit-Driven Price Hikes

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