Wings of gold: Lack of factory workers drives up prices of chicken for restaurants
Chicken wings, the favorite indulgence of so many in Butler County and beyond, are causing a flap for restaurant owners and their customers.
The traditionally affordable treat is becoming hard to come by, which drives the prices up for restaurant owners.
To scratch out a profit, restaurateurs are passing that additional cost onto customers.
Josh Novotny, owner of Novotny’s Pizza in Saxonburg, said while his price of $24 for a dozen jumbo wings ruffles some customers’ feathers, he still sells as many as ever.
“The pricing is ridiculous,” Novotny said. “It makes me sick to my stomach that I am charging $24 for a dozen wings.”
He said he goes through about 400 pounds of wings per week, which are supplied from three vendors.
“From what I understand, it’s not a chicken thing, it’s that the manufacturers don’t have the people to (work),” Novotny said. “(Factory employees) had to social distance, so there were not as many people in there, and now they can’t get them back.”
He considered capping the cost of a dozen wings at $20, but the dish is a huge seller on Friday and Saturday nights.
“To do that and not make any money was hard,” Novotny said.
This is an excerpt from a larger article that appears in Wednesday’s Butler Eagle. Subscribe online or in print to read the full article.
