Important for Restaurants & Bars: Proposed NC ABC Pricing Changes Could Impact Your Business
The North Carolina ABC Commission is currently studying a proposal that could change how liquor is priced across the state by establishing a new “baseline pricing” structure for spirituous liquor. While the details are still being evaluated, many in the hospitality industry believe the proposal could result in higher wholesale liquor costs, ultimately affecting restaurants, bars, consumers, and other hospitality businesses.
What is being proposed?
The ABC Commission is studying whether to implement a statewide minimum (“baseline”) price for liquor products sold through North Carolina’s ABC system. As part of the study, the Commission is reviewing:
- Potential impacts on public health and safety
- Effects on North Carolina’s alcohol marketplace
- The Commission’s legal authority
- How such a pricing model could be implemented if adopted
While no final decision has been made, restaurant and hospitality groups have expressed concern that the proposal could increase operating costs for businesses already facing higher expenses for labor, insurance, rent, utilities, and food.
Why this matters to local restaurants and bars
For independent restaurants and bars, even modest increases in liquor costs can have a ripple effect.
Potential impacts include:
- Increased beverage costs
- Pressure to raise menu and cocktail prices
- Reduced profit margins
- More difficult decisions for small businesses already operating on thin margins
Unlike larger national chains, many locally owned businesses have limited ability to absorb additional cost increases.
Your voice matters
The NC ABC Commission is accepting public comments before July 29 as part of its review process.
If you own or manage a restaurant, bar, brewery, hospitality business, or simply want to share your perspective as a consumer, now is the time to participate.
Comments may be submitted by emailing: Contact@abc.nc.gov
The Commission specifically requested feedback while it studies the proposal.
Shop Local Raleigh supports thoughtful policies that help independent businesses succeed. Before any statewide pricing changes are considered, it’s important that policymakers fully understand how those decisions could affect North Carolina’s locally owned restaurants, bars, and hospitality businesses.
We encourage our members to review the proposal, consider how it could affect your business, and respectfully share your feedback with the ABC Commission.
Our local business community is strongest when small business owners have a seat at the table.
