Waffle House Adds Egg Surcharge Amid Bird Flu Impact

Everyone across the country has been feeling the financial repercussions of the rapidly rising cost of eggs, but as of late, egg prices have soared as farmers try to navigate the current bird flu outbreak. The highly infectious bird flu has decimated the chicken population, reducing egg supplies.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that more than 136 million egg-laying hens—roughly 8% of the total—have died from the virus. Consumers aren’t the only ones feeling the impact; businesses like the iconic American restaurant chain Waffle House are also facing significant challenges in the aftermath of the outbreak.

“Consumers and restaurants are being forced to make difficult decisions,” Waffle House Inc. shared in a statement. To the dismay of its consumers, as of February 3, the business announced it is adding a temporary $0.50 surcharge to all egg items on the menu due to the aggressive strain from the HPAI (bird flu). The franchise stated that the $0.50 increase “is a temporary targeted surcharge” and “will adjust or remove the surcharge as market conditions allow.” 

According to Waffle House’s website, it has over 2,000 locations in 25 states in the United States, serving an estimated 272 million eggs per year, making it the chain’s most-ordered item, surpassing hash browns (153 million) and even waffles (124 million).

In the past year, the average price of a dozen eggs in the U.S. has jumped 50%, with costs rising even further since last November—the month Donald Trump was elected president—according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of January 2025, the country has been experiencing an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in both wild birds and domestic poultry. To put things into perspective, Waffle House claims it serves 2% of all eggs in the U.S.

The casual dining chain stated, “While we hope these price fluctuations will be short-lived, we cannot predict how long this shortage will last.” While the news may be discouraging, it’s important to foster empathy and support for both local businesses and cultural icons like Waffle House, rather than letting frustration take over.