Cost Of Brisket Soars, Fast Food Chain Hogs Supply

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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) – The cost of brisket is up 60 percent from about $2.20 a pound this time last year to about $3.50 a pound.

A brisket shortage in December 2014 lead to a noticeable price hike that affected barbeque restaurant's bottom lines. Mother Nature is also to blame for the not-so-sticky situation after the drought in Texas and California forced ranchers to thin their herds to the lowest levels in 60 years. But a better economy resulted in an increased demand for the fatty meat.

"Texas-style barbecue has become a lot more popular all across the country. Even fast food chains like Arby's have gotten on the bandwagon of brisket," said Texas Monthly Barbecue Editor, Daniel Vaughn.

Vaughn estimates Arby's uses about 5 percent of the country's brisket stock every week, further limiting the supply.

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