Waffle House adds surcharge for eggs as prices skyrocketWaffle House adds surcharge for eggs as prices skyrocket

Waffle House is adding a temporary surcharge to combat the continuing egg shortage driven by the so-called bird flu, or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPIA).

As the latest outbreak of bird flu continues to spread nationally — causing more than 20 million deaths of egg-laying chickens last quarter, according to the USDA — egg prices have skyrocketed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, egg prices rose 36.8% in 2024, which is astronomical compared to the average 2.9% inflation across all consumer categories. In many states, eggs are going for more than $8 a dozen, like in Jersey City, where an NRN reporter spotted a dozen large eggs for $8.69 at a Stop & Shop.

Waffle House has stated that in response to this inflation, “restaurants are being forced to make difficult decisions” and that the Norcross, Ga.-based family-dining chain has implemented a 50-cent-per-egg surcharge to all menus.

The company decided to implement a surcharge rather than increase prices across the menu and clarified that the company will continue to use “grade A large eggs” in its menu items, despite the shortage, “as long as they are available.”

“While we hope these price fluctuations will be short-lived, we cannot predict how long this shortage will last,” Waffle House said in a statement. “We are continuously monitoring egg prices and will adjust or remove the surcharge as market conditions allow.”

Related:Waffle House chief executive officer Walt Ehmer dies at age 58

Waffle House is not the only restaurant that is taking action to combat rising egg prices. According to Bloomberg, Louisville, Ky.-based Biscuit Belly has had to swap the types of eggs the company buys from medium white to large brown eggs, the latter of which still cost about 21% less than the preferred brand. But the savings are not enough to offset the overall inflation of egg prices from a year ago, and the breakfast brand is planning to make the switch to liquid eggs for omelets and scrambled eggs.

San Francisco bakery, Breadbelly, altered its menu to deal with the rising cost of eggs, according to Eater. The independent bakery has already removed egg coffee from its menu (which uses egg yolks as a whipped topping) and is considering taking the popular egg salad bun off the menu temporarily.

Famous Toastery, a 24-unit Charlotte, N.C.-based brunch chain, has been staying in close contact with suppliers and franchisees to keep tabs on the egg inflation situation.

“We are extremely sensitive to not force a price increase onto our loyal guests, but what is happening in the egg market is not a shock to anyone that visits a grocery store,” Rob Sterioti, vice president of operations at Famous Toastery, said. “Nothing is off the table, but a snap decision to increase prices is not where we are looking at this time.”

Related:Grocery prices drop, widening gap with restaurant prices

Contact Joanna at [email protected]