The Denny’s restaurant chain announced the implementation of a surcharge for all meals that include eggs, due to the price increase of this product caused by the egg shortage that has been affecting the country for several months.
Denny’s announces extra charge for food with egg
In a statement, Denny’s mentioned that the egg shortage has impacted the restaurant industry, including its branches, which is why it is forced to apply this extra charge, although it will be temporary.
“This situation continues to evolve, and we are working closely with our procurement team and franchisees to make decisions that are appropriate for the business while maintaining value for our guests,” it stated.
Denny’s menu price
According to Denny’s, other menu items will maintain their current prices. Meals are available for $2, $4, $6, and $8 at all branches of the chain.
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Restaurants raising prices due to egg shortage
Denny’s is not the only business that has decided to raise its prices due to the increased cost of eggs, as other restaurants have also adopted this measure.
One of them is Waffle House, which implemented a 50-cent charge per egg in early February at its more than 2,000 branches across the United States. According to the company, this surcharge will also be temporary until the situation is resolved.
“Consumers and restaurants are forced to make tough decisions. Instead of increasing prices across the entire menu, this is a temporary surcharge specifically linked to the unprecedented increase in egg prices,” the company stated in a statement.
Stores limit egg sales in the U.S.
The egg shortage caused by the rising price of the product has led to chaos in some stores across the country, where customers have fought to get at least one carton. As a result, several supermarkets have opted to limit egg sales to avoid shortages.
Some of the stores that have limited the quantity of eggs per customer include:
- King Soopers (one dozen per customer)
- Whole Foods Market (four cartons per customer)
- Natural Grocers (one dozen per customer)
- Market Basket (two cartons per family)
- Publix (two cartons per customer)
- Lidl (two cartons per customer)
- Trader Joe’s (three dozen per customer)
- Harris Teeter (three dozen per customer)
Why did the price of eggs increase in the U.S.?
Egg prices have reached record highs, doubling between September 2023 and December 2024. In several stores, the average price per dozen is around $5. At Costco, for example, a package containing two dozen eggs ranges between $9.99 and $15.
The tight supply and high demand for the product are directly causing wholesale price increases, as well as intermittent egg shortages in some retail locations and different parts of the country.
Experts identify several key factors contributing to this price increase, including:
- The avian flu outbreak, which has affected production since 2022.
- The consumer hoarding trend, which has left many people unable to buy eggs.
- Recent regulations related to the production of cage-free eggs, which have reduced the availability of the product.
Experts suggest that the trade policies of former President Donald Trump could worsen the situation. Additionally, Costco and other chains continue their transition to selling cage-free eggs, a measure that could keep prices high in the future.
Furthermore, avian flu has caused the death of laying hens, creating supply issues. As a result, stores and supermarkets are either out of stock or have limited quantities of the product, albeit at exorbitant prices.
It is estimated that in December 2024 alone, more than 13 million hens were lost in the U.S. due to the avian flu virus; this number could increase this year, and according to the Department of Agriculture, egg prices are expected to rise another 20 percent in 2025.
