If you’ve stared at a Charlotte menu lately and thought, “Wait, when did the burger hit $20?” — you’re not imagining things. And no, your dining-out budget hasn’t shrunk overnight. The wholesale prices behind your favorite plates have been doing some serious gymnastics.

Food-away-from-home costs jumped 39.3% between January 2019 and January 2026, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Overall inflation? Not even close to that pace. So yes, the sticker shock is real — and Charlotte chefs are happy to explain exactly which ingredients are punching them (and your wallet) in the gut.

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