Diving Into Breakfast Chains: What “Eggs”actly is Going On With Eggs Right Now?

It almost feels like a throwback to the COVID era, with more people raising backyard chickens – but this time, it’s driven by skyrocketing egg prices due to bird flu. So, what’s the trickle-down effect on food and retail establishments? Breakfast-focused restaurants, where eggs are a staple – from classic dishes like eggs with bacon, sausage, potatoes, and toast to essential ingredients in pancakes and waffles – are feeling the impact most acutely.

Breakfast Chains Implement Surcharge to Offset Egg Price Spikes

According to a recent USDA report, retail egg prices increased by 13.8% in January 2025, following an 8.4% rise in December 2024. The agency has now revised upwards its initial forecast of a 20% increase in egg prices for 2025 and now projects a 41.1% rise for the year. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on the average price of a dozen large Grade A eggs also highlights the significant nature of this recent price surge from a historical perspective.

To offset this unprecedented surge in egg prices, several breakfast chains have implemented surcharges on egg-based menu items in February. Waffle House introduced a 50-cent surcharge per egg across all its locations. Similarly, Denny`s added surcharges across its 1,500 locations, with fees varying based on regional impacts. Other establishments, such as Biscuitville, also imposed similar surcharges to manage escalating expenses. These measures reflect the industry`s efforts to navigate the financial strain caused by the egg shortage while striving to maintain menu affordability for customers...   ...more

RSK: Higher income breakfast first goers are not as phased as lower income ones. I sure miss the Egg & I off Todd Drive and the Beltline.