NEW YORK - Prices for ground beef have hit new high, "up double-digit rates from a year ago," reports the Wall Street Journal, which typically triggers menu price increases at QSRs. However, because QSRs such as McDonald??s are holding firm on keeping their current burger menu prices, competitors are being forced to do the same.

"Chains, including McDonald's Corp., Wendy's/Arby's Group Inc. and Burger King Holdings Inc., wary of losing customers are absorbing the increases and trying to steer diners toward chicken, salads and other more profitable offerings," writes the newspaper.

According to USDA data, beef prices are about 14.4% and 31.6% higher for beef used in most restaurants: 90%- and 50%-lean beef, respectively. It??s typical for beef prices to rise in the summer along with demand, but the run-up happened earlier this year "amid tighter imports and historically low U.S. beef-cattle herds," notes the newspaper.

To keep profits coming in, QSRs are relying on heavy promotions for other menu items. For example, Jack in the Box is selling deli-style sandwiches, while other QSRs (the newspaper did not say which ones) are "seeking to boost profits with premium drinks and other higher-margin menu items" that don??t include beef.

"Where??s the beef?" Wendy??s is focusing on boneless chicken wings and plans to launch a new line of fresh salads this summer; Burger King is gearing up for its limited-time launch of bone-in pork ribs; and Sonic Corp. is planning foot-long hotdogs in July ?" a peak burger-selling month, notes the newspaper. And although these new product launches have been planned for some time, the timing could turn out to be an important factor.