A new report from the Washington Hospitality Association finds that Washington has the highest restaurant prices in the continental U.S., with costs running 13.6% above the national average. Appearing on The Morning Ride on KVI, Association President Anthony Anton said the “Cost of Dining 2025” report compared menu prices at 20 national restaurant chains across the lower 48 states to determine where eating out costs the most. Washington edged out even California and Oregon, which came in at 13.3% and 9.1% above average. Anton said state policies have made Washington “one of the most expensive states to dine in,” pointing to repeated tax hikes, increased regulations, liquor license costs, and the Climate Commitment Act, which raised fuel and delivery costs. Despite higher menu prices, Washington restaurants are 60% less profitable than the national average, with profit margins hovering around just 1.5%. He also noted that inflation-adjusted sales aren’t keeping up, leading to shrinking margins and fewer customers dining out. “We knew Washington was expensive,” Anton said, “but we were surprised to see we’re number one.” Anton applauded Olympia voters for rejecting Proposition 1, a “Workers’ Bill of Rights” measure that mirrored Seattle’s strict scheduling and higher-wage mandates. He said the result shows voters are pushing back against policies that drive up prices. Seattle restaurateurs, Anton added, are increasingly afraid to speak out about these costs due to activist backlash, including organized attacks on Yelp reviews for businesses that question wage or regulatory hikes. “Operators are scared,” Anton said. “They’re already struggling to make payroll, and speaking out can cost them their livelihood.”
Read the original report HERE
and listen to Phil’s full conversation with Anthony Anton below:
