A famous Australian burger chain has been accused of ‘shrinkflation’ with two photos showing what appears to be decreasing serving sizes.
Shrinkflation is when the price increases or stays the same while the size or quantity of a product decreases. It is often seen as an alternative response to costs associated with inflation.
The latest to be accused of shrinkflation is Australian burger chain, Milky Lane, which has stores in New South Wales, Queensland, ACT and Western Australia.
One Reddit user recently posted the noticeable difference on the online forum.
They posted a photo of a burger, loaded chips, popcorn chicken and two mac and cheese croquettes said to be taken in October 2021.
The photo shows the chips and popcorn chicken, each in a sizeable dish. All up, including a shake, the ‘Milky Cheat Platter’ meal costs $55.
A picture of the same meal said to be purchased in October 2022 showed everything on one serving tray with a noticeable difference in serving size.
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The hugely popular hip-hop-themed burger joint has achieved cult status since opening its doors for the first time in Crows Nest in 2016.
Reddit users responded to the post with many conceding it’s just a sign of the times.
“Oil is so pricey. Our pub has seen almost a 50 per cent increase in oil drum prices over the last six months. Considering the volume of chips we go through (which have also suffered price increases and product shortages) the oil gets changed every 2-3 days,” one user said.
“You know there is currently a potato shortage in Australia, which means there is a short supply of chips. The cost of chips has increased by about 200-300 per cent. Not to mention, the price of oil has doubled over the last 12 months,” another wrote.
“Inflation only matters when it influences my own expenses. These businesses have no right changing their operations based on current macroeconomic trends,” another sarcastically wrote.
Others said they had been noticing shrinkage across the board.
“Kind of reminds me of how fish & chips have [shrunk] since I was a kid in the 70s. Shrunk the size of the classic “minimum of chips” – which used to be enough to fill up several kids! – and raised its price,” one person said.
Milky Lane has been approached for comment.
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In June, news.com.au reported an array of grocery items like chips, chocolate bars and peanut butter had also been hit by shrinkflation.
Products were revealed to have decreased in size by up to 20 per cent, without a change in price.
Mars chocolate bars have decreased from 53g to 47g and still cost customers $2, while Arnotts Tina Wafers decreased from 250g to 200g and still cost $3.05.
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