Waffle House Adds 50-Cent Surcharge on Eggs Amid Bird Flu Supply Shortages

April 27, 2020, Canton, GA: Waffle House restaurants, well-known chain throughout the Southern U.S., were among the first to open to inside dining Monday as Georgia lifted restrictions due to the concerns about COVID-19 infections. .Pictured: Employees at the 24-hour restaurant arrive for their evening shift
Photo: Robin Rayne/ZUMA Wire

Waffle House has temporarily increased prices on its menu as the United States grapples with a severe shortage of eggs caused by the ongoing bird flu outbreak. As of Monday, Feb. 3, the popular restaurant chain implemented a $0.50 surcharge on every egg ordered in response to the soaring costs of eggs due to supply disruptions from the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu.

In a memo obtained by Nextstar, Waffle House confirmed the move, attributing it to the unprecedented rise in egg prices. “The continuing egg shortage caused by HPAI (Bird Flu) has caused a dramatic increase in egg prices. Consumers and restaurants are being forced to make difficult decisions,” the statement read. While the surcharge applies specifically to eggs, it is a reflection of the broader impact the bird flu crisis has had on food prices across the country.

Waffle House did not provide a specific timeline for how long the surcharge will remain in effect but emphasized that it is a temporary measure. “This is a targeted surcharge tied to the unprecedented rise in egg prices,” the memo continued. “While we hope these price fluctuations will be short-lived, we cannot predict how long this shortage will last.”

Eggs are a staple item on Waffle House’s menu. According to the company’s website, the chain serves an impressive 272 million eggs each year, making them the most popular item on the menu, followed by hashbrowns (153 million) and waffles (124 million). The surcharge reflects the challenges Waffle House faces as it seeks to maintain service while navigating the inflationary pressures caused by the egg shortage.

Egg Prices Surge Amid Bird Flu Outbreak

The bird flu outbreak has caused significant disruptions to the U.S. egg supply, leading to sharp increases in egg prices. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that in January 2024, the average price for a dozen large Grade A eggs was $2.52. By December 2024, the price had jumped to $4.15 per dozen. Looking ahead, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has forecasted a 20.3% increase in egg prices for 2025, reflecting ongoing supply chain challenges linked to the bird flu.

The current bird flu outbreak, which began in 2020 and reached the United States in 2022, has intensified in recent months. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that as of Feb. 4, 2025, 16 states are experiencing H5N1 avian flu outbreaks in dairy cows, with 957 dairy herds affected. The virus has also spread to 51 jurisdictions in the U.S., impacting more than 153 million poultry. Additionally, bird flu has been detected in 11,000 wild birds across the country, further exacerbating the crisis.

Health Concerns and Global Impact of Bird Flu

The spread of HPAI has raised global health concerns, particularly regarding the potential for human transmission. While there is no evidence suggesting that bird flu can be transmitted from human to human, the World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed significant concern about the virus’s evolving nature. In April 2023, WHO’s chief scientist, Dr. Jeremy Farrar, highlighted the importance of preparedness in case the virus mutates and spreads to humans. “This is a huge concern, and we have to make sure that if H5N1 did come across to humans with human-to-human transmission, we were in a position to immediately respond with access equitably to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics,” Farrar said at the time.

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As of February 2024, the CDC has reported 67 human cases of bird flu in the United States, with one fatality. Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely, though the risk to the general population remains low.

The Outbreak’s Broader Impact on Food Prices

The bird flu outbreak has contributed to rising food prices beyond just eggs. The U.S. food system has seen significant price increases in other products as well, including poultry and dairy. As the virus continues to affect poultry farms, many are being forced to cull flocks to prevent further spread, exacerbating the scarcity of eggs and other poultry products.

For restaurants like Waffle House, which relies heavily on eggs for its popular menu items, the bird flu crisis has meant difficult decisions regarding pricing and supply chains. While the current surcharge is a response to immediate challenges, many experts believe that the ripple effects of the outbreak may continue for months, if not longer, as producers struggle to recover from the damage to their operations.

While Waffle House and other foodservice providers work to adjust to the new reality of higher egg prices, consumers are also feeling the impact. The temporary surcharge on eggs at Waffle House is just one example of how businesses are navigating the disruptions caused by the bird flu outbreak. As the crisis unfolds, it remains to be seen how long these price increases will last and what long-term effects the bird flu will have on both the restaurant industry and the broader food supply chain.

For now, Waffle House and other restaurants are bracing for continued supply challenges and higher costs, hoping that the worst of the price hikes will eventually subside. However, with no clear end date in sight for the bird flu outbreak, both consumers and businesses are preparing for what may be a prolonged period of inflation in food prices.

Resources for Consumers

For those concerned about the bird flu or the rising cost of eggs, the CDC provides up-to-date information and guidelines on its website. While the risk of human infection remains low, health officials advise that anyone handling poultry should follow proper hygiene practices to reduce the risk of exposure.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture also continues to monitor the situation and provide resources for farmers, consumers, and businesses impacted by the ongoing outbreak.

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