JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Inflation has hit many aspects of our lives, but one area being impacted is really putting a thorn in many Southerners’ sides—the price of a glass of tea at a restaurant.
Our news partners at Jax Today broke down the data showing how the price of sweet tea is impacting local restaurants.
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According to food service research firm Technomic, non-alcoholic beverage prices rose 6.6% at restaurants nationwide in the last quarter of 2023, while alcoholic drink prices went up a mere 1%, Jax Today reports. Alcoholic drink prices only went up a mere 1 percent, the study found.
Another study from Toast analyzed the price of tea, both hot and cold, across the U.S.
The national price was $3.74. In Florida, the price was $4.17 and in Georgia, the price was $3.59.
Now, let’s take a look at local eateries in Jacksonville.
Jimmy John’s raised the price of its large drink by 68 percent over 10 years. But, at $2.55, that’s still better than most tea beverages at other restaurants.
Jax Today compiled a chart of sweet tea prices at Jacksonville restaurants over time. The graph shows that Southern Charm’s price in 2019 was $1.89. Now, five years later, it’s $3.
The restaurant with the most expensive tea was Julington Fish Camp at $3.50.
“They have lost their mind charging $2.95-$3.95 for iced tea,” Karen Delaney, a Baymeadows resident, told Jax Today. “I am not paying that for tea mixed with water.”
On average, the restaurants polled charge $2.47 for sweet tea with Sweet Mama’s in Jacksonville taking the penny-pincher’s prize by asking only $1.49.
Chart by Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today