The $13 chicken sandwich in Beirut, marketed as "Chick Tawouk," has become a symbol of class disparity in Lebanon. Offered by the restaurant "Glow Paradise," this sandwich is sold at an approximate price of $13, which is nearly double the usual price of chicken sandwiches in Beirut. This move has sparked intense reactions among the public.
Community Reactions to the New Pricing
Critics have deemed this price as unfair and accused the restaurant of price gouging, while many families in Lebanon are struggling to meet their basic needs. However, the restaurant's sales indicate high customer demand, with over 20,000 "Chick Tawouk" sandwiches sold in just eleven days. "Herg Jaghalian," a managing partner of the restaurant, described these reactions as "natural marketing."
The Impact of Economic Crises on Society
This controversy comes at a time when Lebanon has been grappling with deep economic crises and political instability for years. "Sami Nader," an economist at Saint Joseph University in Beirut, pointed out that while restaurants are busy, there are also harsh realities, including the closure of 22 restaurants last month. Nader stated that rising prices and declining purchasing power have led to the disappearance of the middle class.
The financial crisis in Lebanon, which began in 2019, has been driven by corruption and the extravagant spending of the ruling elite, and its consequences continue to cast a shadow over the country's economy. According to World Bank reports, Lebanon's GDP has decreased by nearly 40% since then, and the inflation rate has reached 17.5%. This rate is significantly higher than the global average and four times the global inflation rate in July.
According to UNICEF, four out of five families in Lebanon are struggling to meet their basic needs. This situation is the result of years of economic and social instability that have led to the destruction of the middle class and the formation of two entirely different classes in society.
"Fouad Fakhruddin," a 53-year-old restaurant worker, has pointed to economic difficulties, saying, "Everything has become expensive, and people cannot cope. We are now in debt just to survive." This situation reflects the deep economic and social divide in Lebanon that requires immediate attention.
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