Industry Intelligence
InvoicesOS Restaurant Cost Index™
Real-time food price tracking for the restaurant industry. Quarterly inflation reports, regional benchmarks, and market intelligence.
Live Cost Index (Q4 2025)
Chicken
142
Beef
138
Pork
135
Produce
128
Index baseline: 100 = Q1 2024 average prices. Updated weekly from 500+ restaurant invoices nationwide.
Quarterly Report
Restaurant Cost Index Q4 2025
+2.8%
Quarterly inflation
Key Findings
- ▲Chicken prices surge: Breast and wing prices up 8-12% due to supply constraints and feed costs.
- ●Beef stabilizes: Ground beef holds steady, but premium cuts (ribeye, NY strip) up 4%.
- ▼Pork relief: Belly prices down 2%, bacon costs beginning to normalize.
- ▲Produce volatility: Leafy greens up 15% due to weather disruptions in California.
- ●Dairy mixed: Butter up 6%, cheese relatively stable (+1%).
Regional Variations
Highest Inflation
- 1. West Coast (+4.2%)
- 2. Northeast (+3.5%)
- 3. Mountain (+3.1%)
Lowest Inflation
- 1. Midwest (+1.8%)
- 2. Southeast (+2.1%)
- 3. Southwest (+2.4%)
💡 Operator Recommendation
Consider locking in chicken contracts for Q1 2026 before further increases. Take advantage of current pork pricing for menu engineering. Expect produce volatility to continue through January.
Ingredient Price Deep Dives
Chicken Thighs
$2.54/lb
+12% YoY
Forecast
Stabilizing Q1 2026
Insight
Supply recovering from avian influenza disruptions
Ground Beef 80/20
$3.89/lb
+4% YoY
Forecast
Slight increase expected
Insight
Feed costs remain elevated
Bacon
$4.12/lb
-2% QoQ
Forecast
Holding steady
Insight
Pork belly supply improving
Salmon Fillet
$8.45/lb
+6% YoY
Forecast
Upward pressure continues
Insight
Wild catch quotas reduced
Lettuce (Iceberg)
$1.23/head
+18% YoY
Forecast
Volatile through winter
Insight
Weather impacts in growing regions
Eggs (Large)
$3.89/dozen
+22% YoY
Forecast
May normalize mid-2026
Insight
Flock rebuilding continues
Historical Cost Data
Access quarterly reports dating back to 2024. Track long-term trends and seasonal patterns.
Data Methodology
The InvoicesOS Restaurant Cost Index is derived from real invoice data submitted by 500+ restaurant operators across the United States. Our methodology ensures accuracy and represents true market conditions.
Data Sources
- • 50,000+ invoices processed monthly
- • 200+ food distributors and vendors
- • 2,000+ unique ingredients tracked
- • 50 US metropolitan areas represented
Index Calculation
Prices are normalized to a base unit (per pound, per case, per dozen) and compared against Q1 2024 baseline pricing. Regional adjustments account for local market conditions.
Outliers are filtered using statistical methods. Index represents median pricing across all observed transactions.
Data updated weekly. Quarterly reports published within 15 days of quarter end. Regional data available for metro areas with 10+ participating restaurants.
Featured In
Restaurant Cost Index data cited by National Restaurant Association, Nation's Restaurant News, and leading industry publications.
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