Egg-stra Charge: Denny’s Slaps Surcharge on Meals as Bird Flu Drives Up Prices

Restaurant Chain Hits Consumers with Extra Fees Due to Nationwide Egg Shortage

Denny’s, one of the largest restaurant chains in the United States, has announced that it will impose a surcharge on meals that contain eggs due to the ongoing bird flu crisis. The company cited the nationwide egg shortage and increased costs as the reason for the new pricing strategy.

Surcharge Varies by Location

The surcharge will be implemented on a market-by-market and restaurant-by-restaurant basis, with the size of the fee varying across Denny’s approximately 1,500 locations. The company declined to specify which locations or markets would be affected, stating that the situation is "fluid."

Bird Flu’s Impact on Egg Supply

The bird flu has resulted in the death of millions of hens, leading to a shortage of eggs on grocery store shelves and in restaurants across the country. Wholesale egg prices have reached record highs, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture reporting that prices rose 4.7% to $8.07 per dozen last week.

Other Restaurants Follow Suit

Denny’s is not the only restaurant to implement price hikes in response to the egg shortage. Waffle House, another popular chain, has also introduced a 50-cent surcharge per egg. Meanwhile, grocery store chains like Trader Joe’s and Walmart have placed limits on the number of eggs that can be purchased by shoppers.

Conclusion

As the bird flu continues to affect the egg supply, consumers can expect more price hikes from restaurants and grocery stores. Denny’s decision to impose a surcharge on meals with eggs is just one example of how the crisis is impacting the food industry. It remains to be seen how long the shortage will last and what long-term effects it will have on the global food supply.

FAQs

• Will Denny’s specify which locations or markets will see the surcharge?
  • No, the company declined to provide specific information, citing the "fluid" situation.
• How much will the surcharge be?
  • The size of the surcharge will vary by location and may change over time.
• How long will the surcharge be in place?
  • The company did not provide a timeframe, but it is expected to be temporary.
• Will other restaurants follow suit?
  • Already, Waffle House has implemented a similar surcharge, and other restaurants may follow suit as the shortage continues.