Rising cost of gas forces local businesses to raise prices

May 6, 2026 - 06:29

From pizza shops to lawn care companies, local business owners are scrambling to keep their prices reasonable while grappling with a factor entirely beyond their control: the surging cost of gasoline. The ripple effect is being felt across nearly every sector, as transportation and delivery costs eat into already thin profit margins.

Tony Marchetti, who runs a family-owned pizzeria in the suburbs, says his delivery drivers now spend nearly double on fuel compared to last year. "I had to raise my delivery fee by a dollar, and I still hear complaints," he said. "But if I don't, I'm either losing money on every order or asking my drivers to work for tips alone."

The problem isn't limited to food service. Landscapers, plumbers, and electricians who rely on trucks and heavy equipment are also passing along the increase. A local lawn care company recently added a fuel surcharge to its seasonal contracts, noting that a full tank for its mowing fleet now costs over $200 more per week.

Small business owners say they are caught between absorbing the hit and losing customers. Many have tried to cut costs elsewhere, like reducing routes or bundling deliveries, but those measures only go so far. With no immediate relief in sight at the pump, the consensus is grim: prices will likely keep climbing until fuel costs stabilize. For now, customers should expect to pay a little more for just about everything that gets delivered or serviced.