What factor causes the substantial difference in price when ordering crab legs at a restaurant versus preparing them at home?
Answer
The markup added by restaurants for service, ambiance, and preparation
The primary driver of the price discrepancy between restaurant dining and home preparation is the significant markup applied by sit-down establishments. This added cost covers operational expenses such as paying service staff, maintaining the dining ambiance, and covering the labor involved in preparing the meal immediately before serving. By purchasing raw ingredients directly from a market or supplier and preparing them in one's own kitchen, consumers bypass this substantial overhead, making the cost of the raw ingredient much more manageable.

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