The DecisionNext Finished Goods Index Report | May 2026

Protein Inflation Is Diverging Ahead of Summer As summer grilling season approaches, the DecisionNext Finished Goods Index is showing a growing divide across the protein complex. Cheeseburger costs continue to climb sharply, driven by historically elevated beef prices and persistent tightness in lean-trim markets. At the same time, hot dog prices appear to be stabilizing after significant inflationary pressure over the past year, while chicken sandwich costs are declining amid continued production growth.