Price Research Methodology
How menu prices are sourced, scoped, calculated, checked and withheld when evidence is not strong enough.
Source priority
The preferred source is an official restaurant menu, ordering page, app, menu PDF or selected-store ordering surface. When a brand does not publish usable numeric prices nationally, an exact-brand selected-location ordering page may be used with its scope stated prominently.
Evidence tiers
- Tier A: direct official or first-party numeric evidence
- Tier B: exact-brand selected-location ordering evidence
- Tier C: independent numeric snapshot requiring corroboration before indexing
- Tier D: clearly labeled archival or historical evidence
Price-table rules
Prices must be positive USD amounts tied to named menu items. Unavailable items, zero-price placeholders, customization-only surcharges and arithmetic guesses are excluded. A page must contain at least 20 qualifying rows unless it is intentionally held noindex for editorial repair.
Selected-location pricing
A selected-store or delivery price is never presented as a guaranteed nationwide price. The guide identifies the observed location or ordering channel and explains that tax, delivery fees, tips, substitutions and customizations are not included unless the source says otherwise.
Calculations
Lowest price, highest price, median, simple average, under-$10 counts and under-$15 counts are calculated only from the positive price rows already displayed on the page. These calculations do not create new menu prices.
Volatile and seasonal pages
Deals, newly released items, seasonal menus and limited-time promotions remain noindex unless a current route-specific refresh confirms the offer, participation and numeric prices.
Final checkout rule
The restaurant or ordering platform controls the final amount. Readers should treat the guide as a comparison resource and review the final checkout screen before purchasing.