Little Rock, Ark. (KATV) — Rising transportation, labor and food costs continue to reshape Arkansas’ restaurant industry, forcing owners to adjust menus while customers rethink how they dine out.

Food prices have increased, placing additional pressure on restaurants.

Restaurant owners say the cost of staple ingredients such as produce; dairy and meat remain one of their biggest challenges.

“When they had a freeze, our tomatoes went from $34 a case to $104 a case,” said Cole Treece of Buffalo Grill. “So little things like that, you mix in amongst the inflation already and it really puts a burden on the restaurant owner.”

At Allsopp & Chapple, owner Dillon Garcia is opening a new restaurant and said he is keeping menu items and maintaining premium ingredients.

“People aren’t ordering as many desserts, as many appetizers or as many drinks,” Garcia said.

“We’re still going to focus on really high-quality, premium ingredients. It’s just going to be at a lower price point. We’re going to focus on burgers and sandwiches versus filets and halibut.”

Alicia Payseno with the Arkansas Restaurant Association said families are scaling back what they order when dining out.

“A family that would come in and typically order an appetizer, four entrees and a dessert are really splitting meals,” Payseno said. “They’re having to be very selective in what they decide to purchase that day.”

Garcia said customers have become noticeably more price-conscious than in previous years.

“We’re definitely seeing people more concerned about prices than we’ve typically seen,” he said. “For the first time, people are actually asking, ‘Is tax included in the liquor?’”

While many restaurants have increased menu prices to offset higher operating costs, others have delayed passing those expenses to customers.

“We haven’t passed those costs yet,” Treece said. “It will get to a point where we have to pass them on to the customer because we just can’t eat it forever.”

For longtime restaurants such as Buffalo Grill, Treece said loyal customers have helped keep the business afloat despite ongoing inflation.

“We’ve been very fortunate that we have a longtime core group of customers in this area,” Treece said.

“They don’t mind paying because they know what they’re getting.”

As costs remain elevated, restaurant owners say they will continue looking for ways to balance affordability for customers while maintaining the quality that keeps diners coming back.

Monday starts off quiet, but the cloud will grow this afternoon and thunderstorms will develop.

A couple isolated thunderstorms are possible by 2:00 p.m., but they will be more likely between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.. Thunderstorms will produce dangerous lightning, of course, and some may produce very strong wind gusts. Storms will carry into the evening, and should end in Central Arkansas by 10:00 p.m., but in South Arkansas they may last as late as Midnight.

Tuesday afternoon will bring a few more thunderstorms in the afternoon with the same threats. The rain and storm chance will drop even lower on Wednesday.

Then, with no rain or storms in the forecast for Thursday and Friday, it will be just plain old hot!

Rain and thunderstorm chances will return over the weekend.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Here are the biggest stories you might have missed in the week of June 28-July 4.

1. Arkansas SNAP ban on soda and candy takes effect under Sanders waiver

Gov. Sanders’ waiver that will ban soft drinks and candy from Arkansas’ Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) is set to go into effect on July 1.

Under the waiver, SNAP benefits can no longer be used to soft drinks, including low- and no-calorie sodas, fruit and vegetable drinks containing less than 50% natural juice, candy, and other “unhealthy beverages.”

The Governor’s office claims the SNAP reform plan is the first of its kind in the nation, calling it an attempt to restore food stamps’ focus on nutrition.

CLICK HERE for full story.

2. Republican Party of Arkansas files FEC complaint against Chris Jones campaign

The Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA) has accused Chris Jones’ congressional campaign of violating federal election law, according to a new complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). (PHOTO: KATV)

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The Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA) has accused Chris Jones’ congressional campaign of violating federal election law, according to a new complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

The complaint alleges that yard signs promoting “Chris Jones for Congress” failed to include the disclaimer “Paid for by The Committee to Elect Chris Jones” in the correct format. Under federal election law and FEC regulations, any printed campaign materials are required to have disclaimers inside a printed box away from the other contents of the communication.

The complaint also includes an image of Jones’ online campaign store which sells a yard sign with the correct disclaimer.

CLICK HERE for full story.

3. Riceland sounds alarm on farm crisis, weighs permanent closure of drying facilities

The farm economy crisis isn’t just taking its toll on Arkansas farmers. Now it’s threatening the state’s agricultural infrastructure itself, and Riceland Foods is sounding the alarm and hoping Washington, D.C., is listening. (PHOTO: KATV)

The farm economy crisis isn’t just taking its toll on Arkansas farmers. Now it’s threatening the state’s agricultural infrastructure itself, and Riceland Foods is sounding the alarm and hoping Washington, D.C., is listening.

Just over a week ago, Riceland announced that it would temporarily close 38 percent of its rice drying facilities because of a nearly 40 percent drop in rice planted this year. Now, the co-op says it’s forced to consider permanent closures and layoffs.

“We’re not in a posture right now where we’re ready to announce the number,” said Ben Noble, Riceland Foods executive vice president and chief operating officer. “As we look real closely at what the signup is and how much rice we’re actually going to get beyond just estimates, of course, we’re going to have to evaluate. Do we have enough supply and demand to match our assets? And we may have to face some tough decisions in the future.”

CLICK HERE for full story.

4. Dad reportedly forgets he didn’t drop toddler off at daycare, finds him dead in backseat

A man reportedly forgot he didn’t drop his son off at daycare and returned to find him dead in the backseat of a vehicle. (PHOTO: File)

A man reportedly forgot he didn’t drop his son off at daycare and returned to find him dead in the backseat of a vehicle.

According to a statement issued by police on X at 8:40 p.m. on Monday, June 29, a toddler was found dead inside a vehicle Monday outside a Plantation preschool, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

The Plantation Police and Fire Department and Plantation Fire Department responded at about 5:39 p.m. Monday to A World of Discovery Academy after receiving a report of a deceased child inside a vehicle.

CLICK HERE for full story.

5. Arkansas SNAP gets hard stop on soda, candy, soft drinks – off the table starting July 1

Starting Wednesday, what ends up in your shopping cart could depend on how you’re paying for it. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Starting Wednesday, what ends up in your shopping cart could depend on how you’re paying for it.

Arkansas is rolling out new restrictions on SNAP purchases, banning the use of food assistance benefits for soda, candy, and certain sugary drinks. That includes both traditional and diet sodas, along with fruit and vegetable drinks that contain less than 50 percent natural juice.

State leaders say the move is aimed at steering families toward healthier choices and reducing access to heavily processed foods through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The change follows a federal waiver approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, setting the policy to take effect July 1, 2026.

CLICK HERE for full story.

6. Malvern School District mourns death of rising high school senior Kai Reed

The Malvern School District is mourning the loss of rising Malvern High School senior Kai Reed. (PHOTO: Malvern School District Facebook)

The Malvern School District is mourning the loss of rising Malvern High School senior Kai Reed.

In a statement posted to Facebook, district officials says they were heartbroken by the loss of Reed and extended their condolences to his family, friends, classmates, teachers, and loved ones.

“The Malvern School District extends its deepest condolences to Kai’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask our community to keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate the days ahead,” the post said. “The loss of a young person affects an entire community.”

CLICK HERE for full story.

7. Hayward Finks selected to serve as North Little Rock police chief

The City of North Little Rock has a new police chief. (PHOTO: City of Little Rock)

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The City of North Little Rock has a new police chief.

Officials say that Chief Hayward Finks, who was selected by North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick to serve as the city’s next Chief of Police, will be introduced on Jul. 6.

“We are honored to have Chief Finks serve as Chief of Police for our city. He is a proven, professional leader with uncompromising devotion to customer service and community safety. I believe he is an exemplary choice as our next police chief,” said Hartwick.

CLICK HERE for full story.