Rising Costs, Rising Resilience | Houston News

0:00So, the cost of everything is going up, right? It's not just hitting us at home, but businesses are feeling the squeeze too. Take Lankford's, a restaurant in Houston that's been around for ages. They've even managed to open up two more spots, bringing their total to three. That's a big move when things are getting pricey. The owner, Paul Prior, is talking about how much things like hamburger meat, bacon, and even lettuce have jumped in price. They're talking increases of 20 to 30 percent on a lot of the stuff that goes into making a meal. And this isn't just a small bump. The overall cost of goods and services went up 3.4 percent in August compared to last year. Now the tough part for business owners like Prior is how to handle this without making customers pay more. He's made it clear that his menu prices haven't changed since they opened one of their locations three years ago. It's a commitment to keeping things affordable for the folks who come through the door. To help offset those rising costs, Lankford has put a 3.5 percent surcharge on credit card

1:03purchases. Prior says this has been a big help, allowing them to keep focusing on their farm to table meat. He's also had to get creative, cutting down on staff for some shifts and really trimming any waste to make things work. Despite the challenges, prior is staying optimistic. He believes things will work out. And that's the kind of spirit you need when you're navigating these economic ups and downs. You've been listening to Houston News today, AI-powered local news.