Chicago: Sky-High Pizza Prices as Cheese Soars

Chicago’s Sky-High Pizza Prices as Cheese SoarsChicago’s Sky-High Pizza Prices as Cheese Soars Chicago, renowned for its deep-dish pizza, is reeling from a surge in pizza prices as the cost of cheese, a key ingredient, skyrockets. The National Restaurant Association reports that cheese prices have increased by over 10% in the past year, hitting a record high. This has had a significant impact on pizza prices in Chicago, where cheese is a vital component of the thick, gooey pizza beloved by locals and tourists alike. According to a study by the Illinois Restaurant Association, the average price of a large pepperoni pizza in Chicago has risen by 6% in the past year, surpassing $20 in some establishments. This is a substantial increase that is putting a strain on both pizza businesses and consumers. “We’re seeing our costs go up across the board,” said Antonio Gioffre, owner of Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. “The price of cheese has been a major factor, but we’re also paying more for other ingredients like flour and meat.” Pizza parlors are struggling to absorb these increased costs without passing them on to customers. “We’re trying to keep our prices as low as possible,” said Gioffre, “but it’s getting harder to do.” The surge in pizza prices is also being felt by consumers. “I used to order pizza once a week,” said Chicago resident Maria Martinez. “Now, I can only afford it every other week because it’s so expensive.” The high cost of cheese is driven by a combination of factors, including global supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic, increased demand from food manufacturers, and drought conditions in dairying regions. As the price of cheese continues to rise, it is likely that pizza prices in Chicago will continue to climb as well. This will pose a challenge for both businesses and consumers alike, and may force some pizza parlors to make difficult decisions about their pricing strategies.