Due to the egg shortage in the United States, certain restaurants have opted to implement an extra charge on foods that contain this product, leading many to wonder what will happen with fast food chains like McDonald’s.
As one of the chains that offers breakfast, McDonald’s has several egg-based products on its menu, but will their prices increase? The company has already issued a statement regarding this. Here’s their stance.
Will McDonald’s raise the prices of their egg-based meals?
In a statement, Michael Gonda, Director of Impact in North America, assured customers that the company will not impose extra charges on meals containing eggs, so you can rest assured when buying your breakfast.
“Unlike others that have recently made headlines, you definitely won’t see McDonald’s USA imposing surcharges on eggs, which are 100% cage-free and sourced from the U.S.,” he stated.
McDonald’s egg meal offers
ALSO READ Starbucks is launching new drinks! Which ones and what are they like?
Restaurants raise prices due to egg shortage
McDonald’s statement comes after several restaurants started announcing surcharges on their egg-based meals. One of them is Denny’s, which informed in a statement that the egg shortage has impacted the restaurant industry, including its locations; however, it assured that the extra charge will only be temporary.
In early February, Waffle House also implemented a 50-cent charge per egg at its more than 2,000 locations across the United States. According to the company, this surcharge will also be temporary until the situation is resolved.
“Consumers and restaurants are being forced to make tough decisions. Rather than increasing prices across the entire menu, this is a temporary surcharge specifically linked to the unprecedented rise in egg prices,” the company stated in a release.
Why is there an egg shortage in the United States?
The main cause of the egg shortage in the country is avian flu, which has led to the death of laying hens. It’s estimated that more than 13 million hens were lost in the United States in December 2024 alone due to the avian flu virus, and the number could rise this year.
As a result, stores and supermarkets have either run out of eggs or have limited quantities of the product, though at exorbitant prices. The Department of Agriculture forecasts that egg prices will increase another 41.1 percent in 2025, and according to expert estimates, President Donald Trump’s trade policies could worsen the situation.
Egg prices rise in the United States
Egg prices in the United States have reached historic highs, doubling between September 2023 and December 2024. In several stores, the average price per dozen is around $5. At Costco, for example, a pack containing two dozen eggs ranges between $9.99 and $15.
The limited supply and high demand for the product are directly causing wholesale price increases, as well as intermittent egg shortages in certain retail locations and across various 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 trend of hoarding by consumers, which has left many unable to purchase eggs.
- Recent regulations related to the production of cage-free eggs, which have reduced the availability of the product.
