The second quarter of this year is the first time diners have taken to Yelp to express their dismay over noticeably smaller restaurant portions as shrinkflation has taken a bite out of everything from snacks and slices to burgers and sandwiches. And that’s just in the food category.
See also: Despite Attempts to Go Undetected, Shrinkflation Rankles Food Shoppers
“Inflation mentions in Yelp reviews are increasing more than ever before, and for the first time, we’ve seen mentions of shrinkflation-related experiences,” said Pria Mudan, Yelp’s data-science leader, referring to a report on activity during the second quarter.
Hot dogs, burgers, pizza, and other lower-cost menu items had the most complaints on Yelp. Searches for the least expensive eateries went up 7% in the second quarter over the previous, while searches for the priciest dropped by 12%, Yelp said in a Wednesday (July 20) press release.
Read more: Chili’s Exec: Flexibility Is the ‘Guiding Principle’ of Anti-Inflation Value Menu
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“In Q2 2022, consumers are talking about shrinkflation-related experiences most commonly at restaurants serving more affordable offerings like hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, followed by seafood restaurants, Italian food, and Chinese food,” according to Yelp.
A small box of Kleenex went from 65 tissues to 60, Chobani Flips yogurt reduced its serving size from 5.3 ounces to 4.5-ounces, and a regular bag of Dorito’s went from 9.75 ounces to 9.25 ounces, according to a report in NPR. Prices stayed the same.
Related: Banks Watch Nervously From Sidelines as 9.1% Inflation Crushes Consumers
Inflation in the U.S. escalated to a 40-year high last month to 9.1%, which the Federal Reserve moved to offset by increasing interest rates by three-quarters of a percentage point. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported last week that prices were up at a rate not seen in more than 40 years. The Consumer Price Index was up 9.1%, outpacing the 8.8% that had been expected, PYMNTS reported.
