Denny's introduces egg surcharges amid national shortage
- The avian flu outbreak has led to a significant egg shortage across the United States.
- Denny's announced that some locations would impose a temporary surcharge for meals that include eggs.
- This move reflects the adaptive strategies of restaurants responding to rising costs and supply challenges.
In recent weeks, Denny's, a popular breakfast chain in the United States, announced the addition of a temporary surcharge for meals that include eggs. This decision comes as the country faces a significant egg shortage, primarily attributed to the avian flu outbreak. Millions of egg-laying hens have been culled, leading to a dramatic decline in egg supplies and skyrocketing prices, which have reached record highs. The average price of a dozen eggs reportedly surpassed $7, causing restaurants like Denny's to reconsider their pricing strategies. Denny's spokesperson highlighted that the surcharge would vary by location, as pricing decisions would be determined market-by-market. In their statement, the company expressed commitment to providing value to their customers despite fluctuating costs, but acknowledged the need to implement this surcharge due to increased egg prices. The restaurant chain faced pressure to adapt to the regional impacts of the egg shortage, which has affected several locations across the U.S. Several other breakfast chains, including Waffle House, have also introduced similar surcharges to cope with the rising egg prices. Waffle House added a 50-cent surcharge per egg earlier in the month, marking a trend among restaurants having to reevaluate their menus and pricing amidst the ongoing supply chain crisis. This reflects the broader challenges that the food industry faces, as suppliers continue to struggle with the aftermath of the avian flu outbreak. In light of the situation, Denny's and its competitors are continuously monitoring egg prices and will adjust surcharges as necessary, hoping for a stabilization in supply. However, the uncertainty surrounding the availability of eggs suggests that customers may need to adapt to higher prices for some time, as it could take months for the poultry population to recover. This ongoing crisis has not only impacted restaurants, but it has also affected grocery stores, illustrating the widespread implications of the egg shortage on the food industry in the U.S.