Waffle House adds surcharge to eggs as prices continue soaring
FILE-A Waffle House restaurant in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Waffle House is adding a 50 cent per egg surcharge at its restaurants, a change implemented this week.
The company shared with the Associated Press that the egg shortage has led to a significant rise in its costs.
What they’re saying: "While we hope these price fluctuations will be short-lived, we cannot predict how long this shortage will last," Waffle House officials tell the AP.
RELATED: US egg production drops as prices continue to rise along with bird flu cases
A two-egg breakfast at Waffle House, which consists of toast and a side, was listed at $7.75 on the menu Tuesday.
The Waffle House is monitoring egg prices and shared with the AP that it will adjust or remove the surcharge as market conditions allow.
What is the average cost of eggs?
By the numbers:
The average price per dozen eggs nationwide hit $4.15 in December, which isn’t nearly as expensive as the $4.82 record set two years ago. However, the Agriculture Department predicts egg prices are going to rise another 20% in 2025, the Associated Press reported.
Why are egg prices spiking?
Bird flu is forcing farmers to kill millions of chickens a month, pushing U.S. egg prices to more than double their price in the summer of 2023.
The backstory:
In January, the first human death connected to the bird flu was reported in Louisiana. So far, there have been 67 confirmed bird flu infections of humans in the U.S. since 2024, the Associated Press noted, citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
RELATED: Egg prices are higher — and they're not cracking anytime soon
The H5N1 bird flu has spread among wild birds, poultry, cows, and other animals. According to the AP, its presence in the environment bolsters the chances that people will be exposed, and potentially catch it, but it’s rare.