As egg prices continue to rise, restaurants across the U.S. are adjusting their pricing strategies, with some opting for menu price increases and others, like Langer’s Deli in Los Angeles, implementing an egg surcharge.
What’s Happening?
- Waffle House announced a 50-cent per egg surcharge earlier this month.
- Langer’s Deli in Westlake, Los Angeles, is following suit to offset costs.
“We’ve seen significant increases in the cost of eggs and other essential ingredients due to supply chain disruptions and inflation,” said Norm Langer, owner of Langer’s Deli.
Instead of raising menu prices across the board, the deli has chosen a 50-cent-per-egg surcharge to help manage costs while keeping customer favorites, like their famous pastrami sandwiches, affordable.
The Bird Flu Crisis & Its Impact on Egg Prices
California Hit Hard by Avian Flu
- Sonoma County declared a state of emergency after over 1 million birds were culled between December and January.
- Merced County, a major egg-producing region, experienced multiple outbreaks in January.
- National Impact:
- The current avian flu outbreak, which began in early 2022, has led to the slaughter of nearly 82 million birds across 47 states.
- The USDA reports that more than 7 million chickens were affected in January alone.
How Does This Affect Egg Prices?
- Fewer chickens = fewer eggs, leading to shortages and price hikes.
- Supermarkets nationwide are imposing purchase limits to manage supply.
- Trader Joe’s, for example, now limits customers to one dozen eggs per day.
