The price of eggs has skyrocketed, forcing Waffle House to impose a temporary surcharge on its customers’ orders. The Georgia-based chain is adding a 50-cent charge per egg due to the “nationwide rise in cost of eggs,” caused by an aggressive strain of avian flu.
According to Waffle House, the continuing egg shortage has led to a dramatic increase in egg prices, with no relief in sight. As the most-ordered item on its menu, serving 272 million eggs per year, Waffle House is feeling the pinch.
The National Restaurant Association notes that this surge is particularly challenging for breakfast-focused restaurants like Waffle House. The average price of a dozen large grade-A eggs has risen from $3.65 in November to $4.15 in December, and prices are forecasted to increase by 20% in 2024.
Avian flu has been plaguing farmers and the egg supply since January 2022, resulting in over 108 million birds being slaughtered. The outbreak worsened in late 2024 due to a resurgence of the virus, with nearly half of all birds killed by the virus in 2024 being egg-laying hens.
Waffle House has stated that it will continuously monitor egg prices and adjust or remove the surcharge as market conditions allow. With no end in sight for the egg shortage, customers can expect to face higher prices for a while longer.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/04/food/waffle-house-egg-surcharge/index.html