Latest / Inflation Explained with Fexingo: CPI, Prices, and the Cost of Living for Everyday People
Why Restaurant Prices Are Rising Faster Than Grocery Store Aisles
In episode 50 of Inflation Explained with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna unpack a gap many shoppers feel but can't quite name: restaurant prices have been climbing nearly twice as fast as grocery prices since 2023. Using fresh May 2026 CPI data — where food-away-from-home hit 6.8% annual growth versus food-at-home at 3.5% — they trace the divergence to labor costs, commercial real estate leases, and the post-pandemic 'experience economy' premium. Lucas explains why a $16 chopped salad now costs $19, and Luna points out a less obvious force: the $15.54 minimum wage in California's…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.