Here's one more reason to consider cooking at home: another restaurant chain just announced significant price hikes.

Yahoo! Finance reports that Olive Garden restaurants across Arizona plan to hike menu prices again. This time, by an average of 2% to 3% over the coming year. Last year, the chain tacked on a 1% increase to their menu prices.

Olive Garden in Arizona announcing price hikes
Olive Garden raised its prices last year, but they're set to rise even more. // Canva
loading...

Olive Garden's parent company said they've seen a significant jump in operational costs and the cost of food and other supplies. The increase, they say, was a way to stay ahead of rising costs.

KEEP READING: Another Arizona Fast Food Chain Just Raised Its Prices

Olive Garden in Arizona announcing price hikes
Olive Garden is counting on customer loyalty and is not planning to offer discounts or specials. // Canva
loading...

Why Are Olive Garden's Prices Rising Again?

Olive Garden's parent company, Darden Restaurants, explained that the rising cost of doing business is the main reason behind the price hikes.

Olive Garden in Arizona announcing price hikes
The cost of operations has risen, as have food prices. // Canva
loading...
K101 logo
Get our free mobile app

The cost of eating out has risen across the board, hitting everything from fast-food restaurants to mom-and-pop shops, from casual dining to fancy eateries; inflation has affected the entire restaurant industry.

READ: Infuriating! More Proof Fast Food in Arizona is Getting Worse!

Price Hikes Affect Lower Income Families

You may have noticed that many fast-food chains, such as McDonald's and Wendy's, have been trying to woo customers back despite rising prices by offering discounted value meals and bundles.

Olive Garden in Arizona announcing price hikes
Some fast food chains are offering meal bundles at a discounted price to try to woo customers back to their restaurants. // Canva
loading...

Olive Garden, on the other hand, has been cautious about offering discounts and specials. As a result, sales have dipped significantly, especially for customers with lower incomes.

Olive Garden in Arizona announcing price hikes
Will this be enough to keep their customers? Time will tell. // Canva
loading...

It'll be interesting to see which approach works best. Will customer loyalty overcome the higher prices, or will the chain consider bringing customers back with one of their popular specials? Time will tell.

Sources:Yahoo! Finance | News Nation Now | Newsweek | Business Insider Olive Garden | Darden Restaurants


Arizona Dollar Store Employees Say: Avoid These 10 Things!

Employees at Arizona dollar stores know the secrets behind these products.

This is the list of dollar store items that are poor quality, contain dangerous chemicals, or are just not worth it.

Gallery Credit: Val Davidson

LOOK: How Many of These Discontinued Millennial Munchies Do You Remember?

You'll have better luck paying off your student loans than finding these discontinued snacks in stores.

Gallery Credit: Meg Dowdy

LOOK: States sending the most people to Arizona

Stacker compiled a list of states where the most people are moving to Arizona using data from the Census Bureau.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

More From K101