Local Tulsa Business Feeling Impacts Of Inflation

Inflation is hitting families and businesses hard in Oklahoma.

The prices of many of our favorite foods have increased and the co-owner of Andolini's Pizzeria said his goal is to continue providing quality food and service to his customers.

Mike Baush, co-owner of Andolini's Pizzeria, says the prices of several of the ingredients and items his business uses have gone up. He says a pizza box used to cost $0.75, but now it's $1.50.

"Right now a big problem for a lot of businesses is inflation and a potential recession," Baush said.

Baush says he focuses on portion control which means keeping the amount of food the customer receives the same but making sure food doesn’t go to waste from inventory. He hopes customers will support the restaurant by getting pizza delivered directly from Andolini’s instead of third-party companies — avoiding those extra fees.

"These are little things we can do to not just give up and charge the customer an exorbitant amount without then sacrificing food quality because usually it's one or two-buy cheaper stuff, raise all the prices," Baush said.

Baush says his business has been forced to find new ways to get through these tough times.

"It’s harder for the small guy because we can’t buy in bulk to this insane level that a national chain would, so we have to use a lot of ingenuity and I think that’s something that we’ve honed in on," Baush said.

Baush will be sharing his experiences with restaurant owners from across the country at an industry tradeshow in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Baush said his mission has always been the same, to help Tulsa and the restaurant community.