Pricey chicken sandwich sparks debate over Lebanon’s widening wealth gap

The Glow Paradise launched a premium “Chic Taouk” sandwich priced at about $13, drawing sharp rebuke on social media for being unaffordable in a country where many families cannot meet basic needs. Managing partner Hrag Jeghalian reported that the restaurant moved more than 20,000 sandwiches within 11 days, describing the online debate as natural promotion. Economist Sami Nader pointed out that while the restaurant sees customers, dozens of other eateries have recently shut down, underscoring the shrinking middle class.

He linked the situation to Lebanon’s 2019 financial collapse, ongoing electricity and water shortages, and a GDP drop of nearly 40 % since then. Inflation is projected to reach 17.5 %, far outpacing global rates, and four-in-five households struggle for essentials, according to a UN children’s agency report. Rising generator fees have pushed monthly electricity costs to several hundred dollars, a heavy burden given the $400 minimum wage, as described by restaurant worker Fouad Fakhreddine.