- Denny’s has announced it is going to implement a surcharge on eggs at some of its restaurants. It did not say exactly how much.
- The widespread bird flu is causing an egg shortage across the United States, which is driving up egg prices.
- Denny’s joins Waffle House in levying a surcharge, with some retailers also putting limits on the number of eggs that customers can buy per visit.
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Denny’s is the latest in a chain of restaurants across the U.S. to increase the price of eggs on its menu due to an ongoing egg shortage. The nation’s continuing bird flu outbreak is decimating chicken flocks throughout the country.
The diner chain has reportedly joined a growing number of restaurants adding a surcharge to its egg-based meals at some locations. Egg supplies have dropped, and prices have soared as a result of H5N1.
How much will Denny’s charge when ordering a meal with eggs?
The chain released a statement saying it is making pricing decisions based on each market and each restaurant due to the regional impact of the egg shortage.
Denny’s has about 1,500 restaurants in the country, and the company hasn’t specified the exact amount of the surcharge yet. Earlier this month, Waffle House added a 50-cent per egg surcharge to its menu items. It has more than 2,000 restaurants nationwide.
What about the price at grocery stores?
Prices aren’t just rising in restaurants. Customers at grocery stores are also seeing rising prices for a carton of Grade A large eggs. Newsweek reports that the average cost for a dozen eggs was $4.95 in January, up from $4.15 in December. However, some shoppers are seeing prices in the $8 range, with supplies either very low or shelves completely empty.
Wholesale egg prices have already reached record levels. As a result, retailers such as Trader Joe’s, Costco and Walmart have implemented limits on the number of eggs each customer is allowed to buy.
What to expect for egg prices going forward
The Department of Agriculture estimates egg prices could rise another 20% this year, as it will take flocks months to replenish, forcing businesses to adapt.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the bird flu has killed more than 140 million egg-laying animals since 2022, including 19 million in the last month.
