Andrea Perez-Sobers
Senior Reporter
andrea.perez-sobers@guardian.co.tt.
On the heels of Starbucks raising its prices two weeks ago, Royal Castle, Rituals and Blue Waters have done the same.
The confirmation of Royal Castle's price increases came from the quick-service restaurant chain's managing director Sandy Roopchand.
Roopchand told Guardian Media that the prices were adjusted last Friday, due to the minimum wage increase, as well as increases from suppliers.
She said the last time the chain, which has 39 branches, increased prices was in July 2022.
Guardian Media obtained Royal Castle's new price listing and customers are now paying between six and 14 per cent more.
A one-piece and side which cost $22 went up to $25 (13.6 per cent). A two-piece and side which was originally $32 is now $35 (9.4 per cent).
A three-piece, side and drink which was $47 is now $50 (6.4 per cent).
A sandwich, side, and drink that was priced at $32 is now $35 (9.4 per cent). The 12 piece, six sides, and atwo litre stood at $180 and is now priced at $210 (16.6 per cent)
The Queen Bucket with eight pieces was $128 and is now $143 (11.7 per cent).
At Rituals, prices also increased last Friday.
Global Brands director, Anthony Sabga-Aboud, via WhatsApp said only a few selected menu items increased, which were mainly drinks by approximately $1 to $3 depending on beverage size.
Sabga-Aboud indicated that prices did not change on sandwiches and pastries apart from one or twoitems. This, he said, equates to roughly a five per cent increase across the entire menu of Rituals..
He said this hike was due to the increase in minimum wage from $17.50 to $20.50 and the increase in input costs.
Sabga-Aboud made it clear that no staff at any of its 66 branches will be affected.
“We did not have any price increases at Church's Chicken or Pizza Boys,” he added.
Meanwhile, prices on Blue Waters range of water-based products increased on average $0.04 a bottle yesterday.
When contacted the company's managing director Dominic Hadeed said this is the first price increase since 2016.
Hadeed said letters advising of the price change were sent to customers two weeks ago.
The letter said over the last year, Blue Waters Products Ltd has been faced with varying increases in production costs, driven primarily by raw material increases and other macroeconomic factors.
“As a strategic partner, we have and will continue to absorb as much increasing costs as possible to ensure we provide quality products at affordable prices,” the letter further stated.
It noted that prices remain unchanged for Blue Waters-malt, Stamina Energy, Sparkling Cran+ and Caribbean Traditions.
