Egg Shortage Drives Price Hikes and Surcharges Across U.S. Restaurants and Retailers

Outbreaks of bird flu since 2022 have decimated poultry flocks, leading to soaring egg prices, purchasing limits, and restaurant surcharges.

Denny's and Waffle House have introduced temporary surcharges on meals containing eggs, with Denny's adjusting pricing by location based on regional impacts.
Egg prices rose by 15.2% in January 2025, marking the largest monthly increase since 2015, and are projected to rise further this year.
Major retailers, including Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, have imposed purchasing limits on eggs to manage supply shortages caused by bird flu outbreaks.
The USDA is exploring solutions such as biosecurity measures and vaccination, but industry concerns over trade restrictions and costs complicate vaccine adoption.
Experts warn that bird flu may become a persistent issue in the U.S., with nearly 19 million birds affected in the past month alone.