Why lettuce is causing hard times at some restaurants
Summary
Lettuce prices went up earlier this year because of hot weather in Arizona, a major lettuce-growing area. Now, many people have gotten sick from a parasite linked to shredded lettuce, causing some restaurants like Taco Bell to lose customers and make less money.Key Facts
- Arizona grows about one-third of the lettuce in the United States.
- Hot weather in Arizona caused lettuce prices to rise sharply in early 2026.
- A parasite called cyclospora, found in shredded lettuce, has made thousands of Americans sick.
- The cyclospora outbreak has affected restaurant sales, especially those serving lettuce.
- Yum Brands owns Taco Bell, which is seeing fewer customers due to worries about the outbreak.
- Taco Bell’s sales in the U.S. dropped by 2% from July to September 2026.
- This decline contrasts with a 7% sales increase in the previous quarter (April to June 2026).
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