SINGAPORE — A photo of Toast Box’s menu before and after the Goods and Services Tax (GST) hike has gone viral online.
“Boycott Toast Box. See how many per cent Toast Box increase their selling price on the excuse of a 1 per cent GST increase. Bottom is before GST. Top is after GST,” wrote a member of the public who compared the prices.
The photo was shared on WhatsApp and various Facebook accounts, such as on Kaki’s Club, with the caption, “More like 10-30% price increase.”
All of the menu items increased, such as the Luncheon Meat & Egg Sandwich, from S$6.90 to $9.20.
The Laksa increased by S$2.50, from S$7.50 to S$10. The biggest price increase was 37 per cent for the Homemade Nasi Lemak, which jumped from S$8.20 to S$11.30.
Toast Box has since confirmed that the “before” menu prices were from Jan 2019 to June 2021.
The company added that the Asian Delight sets, which include Nasi Lemak, Mee Rubus and Laksa, were served without a slice of cake, while the Luncheon Meat and Egg sandwich didn’t have half-boiled eggs with the price.
Since Dec 20, 2022, Toast Box customers can choose to have a slice of cake or a side worth up to S$2.20 with their order.
Customers can still opt out of the set meal and pay ala carte prices.
However, the company also revealed to MustShare News that it had to “make necessary adjustments” due to rising costs of raw materials, manpower and operating costs.
Meanwhile, netizens agreed that businesses are seeing rising costs aside from the GST increase.
Still, others noted that the consumers end up shouldering the price increases.
“Pay increment, rental increment, increase in food cost. It’s all passed to the consumer,” said Facebook user Thomas Toh.
“Time to go to kopitiam for my Kaya toast fix. I can’t afford to eat like this daily,” added Facebook user Ron Foo.
The Independent Singapore has reached out to Toast Box for clarification. /TISG
UPDATE: Jan 30, 2023
A spokesperson from Toast Box clarified the matter with the below statement:
We would like to point out that the photo of the menu in the first picture is dated back to the period between January 2019 to June 2021. The Asian Delight sets were served without a slice of cake, and the Luncheon Meat & Egg sandwich set did not include half-boiled eggs.
Since January 2020, Toast Box has enhanced our Asian Delight set meals with the inclusion of a slice of tea cake at selected stores, and this was gradually introduced across all our stores in 2020 and 2021.
To provide added value to our customers, with effect from 20 December 2022, our Asian Delight set meals now include a choice of any sliced cake or side worth up to $2.20. Customers may choose from a range of popular options such as Banana cake, Pandan Chiffon, Honey Cake and Curry Puff (not only limited to tea cakes).
Similarly for sandwich sets, they now include two half-boiled eggs worth $2.00. Customers are also free to opt out and will be charged at ala carte prices for their beverage and Asian Delight or sandwich respectively.
We, at Toast Box, are committed to improving the quality of our products and will continue to strive to provide value to better serve our customers. Due to the recent rise in raw material prices, manpower and operating costs, we have had to make the necessary adjustments in order not to compromise on our product quality and service standards.
To enjoy extra savings, customers may also purchase our BreadTalk Rewards Kopi e-Voucher Package to enjoy their favourite Nanyang Kopi and Teh at discounted prices.
Thank you.