Waffle House Announces 50-Cent Surcharge on Eggs Due to Bird Flu
Surcharge Goes into Effect Monday
Waffle House, a popular comfort food franchise with over 2,000 locations, has announced a 50-cent surcharge on all egg items on their menu due to soaring egg prices caused by the bird flu. The surcharge went into effect on Monday.
The Reason Behind the Surcharge
The surcharge was triggered by the highly infectious bird flu virus, which has affected the chicken population and caused an egg shortage. According to the Agriculture Department’s latest Egg Markets Overview, over 13 million hens have been lost or slaughtered since December following the bird flu outbreak.
Market Analysis
Economists and market analysts have cited the bird flu as the chief reason for the price spike, along with the typical consumer demand for eggs during the winter holiday season. “Consumers and restaurants are being forced to make difficult decisions,” Waffle House, Inc. said in a statement.
Temporary Solution
The franchise stated that the 50-cent increase is a temporary targeted surcharge tied to the rise in egg prices, and that they “will adjust or remove the surcharge as market conditions allow.” While they hope the price fluctuations will be short-lived, they cannot predict how long the shortage will last.
Dealing with the Bird Flu Outbreak
Pertinent to the food industry’s recovery and mitigating the spread of the virus is identifying cases of bird flu. To assist with bird flu investigations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has urged labs to determine whether people hospitalized with the flu have the virus or just seasonal influenza within 24 hours of admission.
Quick Response is Crucial
According to Dr. Nirav Shah, patients have often already been sent home by the time test results have come back. “The more time that goes by, the more memories fade and the harder it is to identify a potential source,” he said. This can also mean that “their close contacts may be beyond the window for preventative medications like Tamiflu.”
Seasonal Flu in the U.S.
The seasonal flu is currently raging in the U.S., especially in the West, across the Midwest, and deep into the Southeast, according to the CDC.
Conclusion
Waffle House’s decision to implement a surcharge on egg items is a temporary measure to adapt to the current market conditions. The company hopes to adjust or remove the surcharge as soon as the egg shortage subsides.
FAQs
* What is the reason behind the 50-cent surcharge on eggs at Waffle House?
The surcharge is due to the bird flu outbreak, which has caused an egg shortage.
* When did the surcharge go into effect?
The surcharge went into effect on Monday.
* Will Waffle House adjust or remove the surcharge?
Waffle House will adjust or remove the surcharge as market conditions allow.
* How long will the shortage last?
Waffle House cannot predict how long the shortage will last.
