The rising costs of building a better hotel breakfast in the U.S.

As guests’ breakfast tastes and expectations change, hotels face higher costs and new challenges, several owners and operators said.

During the past 10 years, brand companies have upgraded their standards for breakfast at midscale and upper-midscale brands. Fairfield Inn & Suites was the latest brand in its segment to embrace hot food items on its breakfast program.

Higher standards generally mean higher costs for operators. Cerrone said five years ago it cost a select-service hotel about $1.50 to $1.75 per day per occupied room to provide breakfast. Today, the cost is between $3.50 and $4 per day per occupied room.