Denny’s Is The Latest Restaurant To Add Egg Surcharge

It’s no secret that egg prices have gotten ridiculous. From Waffle House adding an egg surcharge to New York bodegas selling eggs like loosie cigarettes, a nationwide shortage has caused poultry pandemonium. Denny’s is the latest to join the ranks of egg surchargers — potentially signaling that more restaurants may soon do the same. This week it announced a temporary price increase at select locations in response to the shortage, caused by an ongoing bird flu epidemic destroying the nation’s supply. 

According to USDA data, avian influence has impacted around 18.9 million birds in the past 30 days. Denny’s has over 1,500 locations, but has not revealed how many will add the surcharge. It did however say that it will apply to every meal that includes eggs.

Denny’s released a statement, sharing the more details: “Our pricing decisions are being made market-by-market, and restaurant-by-restaurant due to the regional impacts of the egg shortage. We understand our guests’ desire for value, adn we will continue to look for ways to provide options on our menu, including our $2 $4 $6 $8 value menu, while navigating these rapidly changing market dynamics responsibly.”

Surcharges are sweeping the restaurant scene. Waffle House and Denny’s are just two of what’s likely to be more major chains. Smaller restaurants across the US have also added surcharges, per Amanda Oren, a vice president at supply-chain platform RELEX Solutions. Grocery retailers Trader Joes, Sam’s Club, and Costco have put limits on how many eggs customers can purchase at a time, as well.