06/29/2026
Droughts and operating costs have decimated the beef industry, forcing many restaurants who purchase large quantities of beef to shut down.
“This is as bad as it gets,” Houston-area pitmaster Russell Roegels told the Washington Post, "You’re one bad week from closing.”
Ground beef prices have gone up 15% from a year ago, and pitmasters say wholesale brisket prices are forcing restaurants to charge as much as $35 to $40 per pound just to stay in business.
