This Canadian restaurant just lowered its prices. Here's how it did it

A Canadian restaurant lowered its prices this week, and though news of price tags dropping rather than climbing sounds unusual, the business strategy in this case is not, according to experts in the field.

A Canadian restaurant lowered its prices this week, and though news of price tags dropping rather than climbing sounds unusual, the business strategy in this case is not, according to experts in the field.

Kinton Ramen, founded on Baldwin Street in Toronto in 2012, lowered the cost of its ramen bowl by approximately $2 on Monday, from $17 to $14.99.

The answer to the obvious follow-up question – how did a local business bring prices down while food costs remain high? – is simple: franchising.

Kinton Ramen pivoted to a franchise model during the pandemic, expanding the local chain from 20 locations at the time to 38, with sights set on 45 by end of year.

The expansion, which now spans Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Illinois and New York, has enabled the restaurant to negotiate with suppliers, according to Kinka Family Senior Director of Franchise Development, Karalyn White.

“We've really been able to leverage our buying power to reduce the prices in the restaurant,” White said.

Supply chain pains were reflected on Kinton Ramen menus during the pandemic, with their original ramen bowls – pork, chicken, beef or fried bean curd with mushrooms, a seasoned egg and scallions – rising from $14.99 to $17 over time.