Rising Gas Prices Squeeze West Palm Beach Businesses

Businesses grapple with higher fuel costs, passing some of the burden to customers

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:04pm

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Businesses in West Palm Beach, Florida, are struggling with the impact of rising gas prices, forcing them to make tough decisions about how much of the increased fuel costs to pass on to their customers. From food trucks to boat tour operators, companies are seeing their monthly fuel bills climb significantly, leading them to raise prices slightly while also exploring ways to cut costs and keep their offerings accessible to the community.

Why it matters

The rise in gas prices is putting a strain on local businesses in West Palm Beach, many of which rely heavily on fuel to power their operations. As these companies grapple with higher costs, they must balance the need to maintain profitability with the desire to keep their services affordable for customers who are also feeling the pinch of inflation.

The details

Sherwin Foster, owner of the Foster's BBQ food truck, says he thinks about gas prices constantly, with his monthly fuel bill climbing from around $450 to $600. To offset the increased costs, he has raised prices slightly but is also trying to find ways to cut costs, such as using apps to find the cheapest gas and spending extra time shopping around for better deals on food supplies. Similarly, the operators of the Hakuna Matata boat tour vessel, managed through Visit Palm Beach, are preparing for their first rate hike in eight years to offset the rising cost of fuel, which can add hundreds of dollars to their monthly operating costs. To help make tours more affordable, the organization is encouraging more people per private tour to spread out the cost.

  • Rising gas prices have been impacting West Palm Beach businesses for several months.
  • Foster's BBQ food truck has seen its monthly fuel bill increase from around $450 to $600.
  • The Hakuna Matata boat tour vessel is preparing for its first rate hike in eight years to offset the rising cost of fuel.

The players

Sherwin Foster

Owner of the Foster's BBQ food truck in West Palm Beach.

Kaitlyn Casanova

A manager with Visit Palm Beach, which operates the Hakuna Matata boat tour vessel.

Foster's BBQ

A food truck business in West Palm Beach that relies on generators and fuel to power its operations.

Hakuna Matata

A boat tour vessel managed through Visit Palm Beach, which operates daily cruises on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Visit Palm Beach

The organization that manages the Hakuna Matata boat tour vessel and is preparing for its first rate hike in eight years to offset the rising cost of fuel.

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What they’re saying

“Every single day, every minute, every second.”

— Sherwin Foster, Owner, Foster's BBQ

“We're just trying to balance the cost of goods and then cost of charging customers, because everyone is suffering.”

— Sherwin Foster, Owner, Foster's BBQ

“Just a couple of dollars here and there, which I think everybody understands.”

— Kaitlyn Casanova, Manager, Visit Palm Beach

“We really want to make it accessible for everyone still. Everybody is in the same boat, as they say.”

— Kaitlyn Casanova, Manager, Visit Palm Beach

What’s next

As the busy spring and summer seasons approach, West Palm Beach businesses will continue to monitor gas prices and make adjustments to their pricing and operations as needed to maintain profitability while keeping their services accessible to the community.

The takeaway

The rise in gas prices is putting a significant strain on local businesses in West Palm Beach, forcing them to make difficult decisions about how much of the increased fuel costs to pass on to their customers. This highlights the broader economic challenges facing small businesses and the need for creative solutions to help them weather the storm of rising inflation.