TAIPEI (TVBS News) — As inflation continues to squeeze Taiwanese consumers, one major restaurant group is taking a stand against the rising tide of price hikes. Bafang Yunji International (八方雲集集團), a prominent fast-casual dining conglomerate, declared Monday (April 14) that its popular chains Bafang Yunji (八方雲集) and Liang She Han Buy Good (梁社漢排骨) will maintain current price levels despite inflation data from Taiwan's Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS, 行政院主計總處) showing consumer prices exceeding the government's 2% warning threshold for a third straight year.
The company cited mounting economic pressures and global market volatility in its decision to shield customers from further financial strain. Our brands decided to freeze prices, allowing consumers to meet their daily dining needs with affordable prices, Bafang Yunji stated in its announcement. The decision carries significant weight in Taiwan's food service landscape, where the company operates more than 1,200 locations nationwide, making its two chains ubiquitous fixtures in food courts, shopping districts, and neighborhood commercial centers.
The company's Liang She Han Buy Good chain simultaneously unveiled new budget-friendly menu options on Monday, introducing "Secret Sauce Chicken Fillet Rice/Noodles" and "Salt and Pepper Chicken Fillet Rice/Noodles" priced at NT$99 (US$3.05) per serving, featuring domestically sourced ingredients. The move comes as government statistics reveal restaurant prices climbed 3.26% in March alone, the fifth straight month exceeding 3% growth, further intensifying financial pressure on Taiwanese households already navigating a challenging economic environment. ★