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UK Restaurant April 2026 Repricing Playbook: Wage Rise, CPI, and Guest Pushback

A practical UK repricing workflow for independent restaurants facing April 2026 wage changes and ongoing cost pressure.

Published Feb 14, 2026
uk restaurant pricingnational living wage 2026menu repricingcash flowhospitality
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If April is coming and your menu still reflects last year’s labour assumptions, you are already behind.

This is not about dramatic price jumps. It is about protecting cash with a calm, structured update.

Quick Summary

  • UK CPI annual inflation was 3.4% in December 2025.
  • ONS reported restaurants and hotels at 3.8% annual inflation.
  • UK wage floors update from 1 April 2026 (including GBP 12.71 for age 21+ and GBP 10.85 for age 18-20).
  • Use a three-step repricing workflow: payroll delta, per-cover recovery target, selective menu changes.

What Changed (With Dates)

As of January 21, 2026 (ONS December 2025 bulletin release):

  • CPI annual rate: 3.4%
  • Restaurants and hotels: 3.8%

As listed on GOV.UK National Minimum Wage rates (checked 2026-02-14, effective April 1, 2026):

  • National Living Wage (21 and over): GBP 12.71
  • National Minimum Wage (18 to 20): GBP 10.85

If you run a labour-heavy service model, these changes hit before guests see any menu update.

Step 1) Calculate Weekly Payroll Delta

weeklyPayrollDelta =
  sum(hourlyRateIncreaseByRole x weeklyHoursByRole)

Example:

  • Front-of-house increase impact: GBP 210/week
  • Kitchen increase impact: GBP 290/week
weeklyPayrollDelta = 210 + 290 = GBP 500/week

Step 2) Convert to Per-Cover Recovery Target

targetRecoveryPerCover =
  (weeklyPayrollDelta x recoveryShareFromPricing) / weeklyCovers

If:

  • payroll delta: GBP 500
  • pricing recovery share: 70%
  • weekly covers: 1,400
targetRecoveryPerCover = (500 x 0.70) / 1400 = GBP 0.25

This gives you a practical target before touching individual prices.

Step 3) Reprice Selectively (Not Blindly)

Use three buckets:

  1. Keep one or two entry anchors stable.
  2. Recover on lower-sensitivity mains, add-ons, and premium upgrades.
  3. Rebuild bundle logic so perceived value remains clear.

This reduces guest shock and protects contribution.

Example: Small UK Bistro

Weekly baseline:

  • Covers: 1,400
  • Payroll delta: GBP 500
  • Target recovery via pricing: 70%
  • Required recovery per cover: GBP 0.25

Menu action:

  • +GBP 0.20 on high-volume lunch main
  • +GBP 0.40 on premium evening main
  • +GBP 0.30 on add-on side

You do not need every line to move the same way. You need weekly recovery to meet the target.

Guest Message (Short Script)

From 1 April, we've made small updates on selected items
to keep ingredient quality and service standards consistent.

One clear message works better than long explanations.

14-Day Repricing Checklist

  • Calculate weekly payroll delta by role.
  • Set recovery-per-cover target.
  • Update only selected SKUs first.
  • Align in-store, online, and delivery menus on one date.
  • Track item contribution, covers, and weekly cash every 7 days.
  • Make one correction pass after week 2.

KitchenCost helps you connect wage-driven cost changes to item-level pricing decisions without rebuilding your spreadsheet every week.

Sources (checked on 2026-02-14)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to reprice my full menu in April 2026?

Usually no. Start with a targeted repricing pass on high-volume and low-contribution items, then review impact weekly.

What changed from 1 April 2026?

The UK Government confirmed updated National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates from 1 April 2026, including GBP 12.71 (age 21+) and GBP 10.85 (age 18-20).

How much notice should I give guests before price updates?

For most neighbourhood operators, 7 to 14 days is practical if your POS, online menu, and in-store menu switch on the same date.

Should I apply one flat percentage increase to every item?

Usually not. Flat increases can hurt value perception. Protect entry-price anchors and recover more from lower-sensitivity items.

What metric should I watch after repricing?

Track contribution per item, average check, and weekly cash result together. Revenue alone can hide margin leakage.

Can I delay repricing and wait for quarterly review?

If your wage and cost base already moved, waiting can compress cash quickly. A staged update is often safer than delay.

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