Waffle House has introduced an extra 50-cent charge per egg ordered due to a severe strain of avian flu that is affecting the national egg supply, driving up prices. A customer, @bcolebrenda, recently visited the restaurant and gave her server a $50 tip after being told she couldn’t have eggs due to the surcharge.
@bcolebrenda claimed her actions were motivated by “greed,” but many users in the comments section questioned this label. Some pointed out that servers may not see their tips if the restaurant forces them to split or pool earnings, while others suggested that Waffle House has a moral obligation to increase prices to cover rising egg costs.
The bird flu epidemic, which began in 2022, has caused a significant shortage of eggs and driven up prices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts that egg prices could rise by as much as 20% this year due to the ongoing shortage. Industry experts argue that restaurants like Waffle House must adjust their pricing to compensate for these increased costs.
The debate over whether Waffle House’s decision is a case of “greed” highlights the complexity of food price inflation and its impact on consumers and businesses alike.
Source: https://www.dailydot.com/news/waffle-house-egg-surcharge-tip