Toledo restaurant works to keep prices steady as rising costs squeeze businesses

Bombay Kitchen owner Rita Jassal is working to keep menu prices affordable despite rising food costs, staffing challenges and fewer customers.

TOLEDO, Ohio — As restaurants across the country face rising food costs, staffing challenges and fewer customers, one Toledo restaurant owner is finding creative ways to keep her business open without raising prices.

Rita Jassal, owner of Bombay Kitchen, says she is doing everything she can to keep menu prices steady, even as the cost of food and other supplies continues to climb.

That means shopping around for the best deals on produce and other ingredients and getting creative about where she buys supplies.

Jassal says small restaurants are facing many of the same financial pressures as customers.

“We are all trying to survive,” Jassal said. “I think it’s a lot of the little restaurants. We’re all going through the price increase, the staffing issues. I think we all are having a tough time right now.”

Bombay Kitchen is among the businesses feeling the impact of a slowdown in customer traffic. The National Restaurant Association reports that nearly half of restaurant operators say they have seen fewer customers compared to the same time last year.

Jassal noticed the decline at her own restaurant, prompting her to turn to social media to ask the community for support.

The response was immediate, she said.

“I asked for support and the whole Toledo came out and supported us for about three weeks now, nonstop,” said Jassal.

Although business has picked up since then, Jassal says she is still working to manage inflation and higher food costs.

She says she does not want to pass those expenses on to customers, who are also dealing with higher prices at grocery stores and elsewhere.

“We didn’t want to increase prices for our guests because they’re suffering too, you know, grocery pricing and everything,” Jassal said. “And I don’t want them to come in here and pay more when they’re used to paying what they’re used to paying.”

Other Northwest Ohio businesses have also made changes to keep up with rising expenses.

Bakery Unlimited raised prices in early October, citing higher supply costs and fuel surcharges. In May, Heavenly Pizza added a delivery fee to help offset rising gas prices.

Even national restaurant chains are feeling the financial strain. A Wendy’s franchisee that owns 13 locations in Northwest Ohio filed for bankruptcy, citing financial issues tied to record-high beef prices.

Jassal says staffing is another challenge facing Bombay Kitchen. She hopes to hire additional employees soon as she works to keep the restaurant running.

For now, she says her biggest priority is making sure Bombay Kitchen’s doors stay open while keeping prices affordable for the customers who continue to support the business.