US-based diner chain Denny’s has added a temporary surcharge on meals including eggs at select locations to counteract soaring egg prices triggered by a nationwide scarcity in supply.
The shortage is largely due to a widespread outbreak of avian influenza (bird ‘flu).
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The company, which has 1,500 units, stated that the surcharge would vary by restaurant, reflecting the regional severity of the shortage.
The exact number of affected restaurants has not been disclosed.
The company said in a statement: “Denny’s remains committed to providing our guests with delicious meals they love at the value they expect.”
“We do our best to plan ahead with our vendors on items like eggs to minimise the impact market volatility has on our costs and menu pricing.”
The additional charge comes as consumers continue to cope with years of menu price hikes driven by inflation.
Denny’s went on: “We understand our guests’ desire for value, and we will continue to look for ways to provide options on our menu, including our $2 $4 $6 $8 value menu, while navigating these rapidly changing market dynamics responsibly.”
The move comes as many local media outlets report similar surcharges being added by individual restaurants.
According to US Department of Agriculture data, the average cost of a dozen eggs now exceeds $7 – a new record high. Late February 2025 saw a 10% increase in just one week.
Waffle House, another significant foodservice provider, has also implemented an egg surcharge, introducing a 50 cent increase per egg at all its 2,000 outlets across 25 states from 3 February.
In contrast to these surcharges, Cracker Barrel has taken a different approach by offering double loyalty points to customers who order eggs.
