Yoshinoya to Raise "Gyudon" Prices

Tokyo, Dec. 9 (Jiji Press)--Yoshinoya Holdings Co. <9861> said Tuesday that it will raise the prices of its "gyudon" beef-on-rice dishes from 3 p.m. Dec. 17 (6 a.m. GMT) due to surges in U.S. beef prices amid a fall in shipments. The price will rise to 380 yen from the current 300 yen for a standard bowl of gyudon, to 550 yen from 460 yen for a large bowl, and to 680 yen from 560 yen for an extra-large bowl. The hike, the first since April 1, when Japan's consumption tax was raised from 5 pct to 8 pct, also reflects the yen's recent sharp decline that has boosted the prices of imported materials, the major gyudon restaurant operator said. END