Your eggs might finally cost less—Waffle House just made this wallet-friendly update
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If you’re a fan of breakfast at any hour (and let’s be honest, who among us isn’t?), you’ll want to crack open this bit of good news: Waffle House, the iconic 24/7 diner chain beloved across the South and beyond, has just dropped its infamous egg surcharge.
That’s right—after months of shelling out extra for your sunny-side-ups, over-easies, and scrambled delights, you can now enjoy your eggs without the side of sticker shock.
Earlier this year, customers were hit with a surprising new charge at breakfast spots across the country.
The reason? A sharp and sudden rise in egg prices, triggered by a nationwide avian flu outbreak that devastated poultry farms.
Tens of millions of egg-laying hens were culled, causing a ripple effect through the food industry. One beloved chain, known for serving up more than 272 million eggs each year, introduced a 50-cent-per-egg surcharge in February.
They weren’t alone. Other chains followed suit as egg prices hit record highs. Retail prices for eggs more than doubled in some regions.
Families began feeling the strain, and even grocery budgets took a hit. As egg availability dropped, concern spread—not just among customers, but within the federal government.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins commented last week, saying, “Families are seeing relief with egg prices driving food deflation.” She added that farmers and producers can still rely on USDA tools to assess and strengthen biosecurity.
For diners and restaurants, eggs became a symbol of larger inflation struggles. Customers grumbled, and for chains known for consistency and value, the extra fee didn’t go unnoticed.
Now, months after quietly removing the fee, one of America’s favorite diners has gone public with the update. The egg surcharge is officially off the menu, as confirmed in a recent announcement.
The recovery of the egg supply chain is ongoing, but the numbers show significant progress.
As of June 1, the U.S. had approximately 285 million egg-laying hens. That’s still below pre-outbreak levels, but an improvement compared to the lowest points.
The American Egg Board, which represents egg farmers, credited the stabilization to several key factors. Among them are USDA support, reduced avian flu activity, and a seasonal dip in egg demand after Easter.
Read also: Egg prices under scrutiny: America’s largest producer cooperates in federal probe
The change in egg prices also impacted other chains, including a popular national competitor that also dropped its surcharge in late May. They described it as “great news for Grand Slam lovers everywhere.”
Restaurants like The Broken Yolk, which operates over 40 locations, felt the pressure as supply shortages intensified.
Ed Powers, who oversees operations there, explained: “The price, it almost quadrupled. But also the availability. That’s where it got really scary.” He noted the situation has improved significantly in the past six months.
The chain at the center of the recent announcement didn’t make a big show of the change when it first happened. Instead, they waited nearly a month before officially revealing the update in a celebratory online post.
Read next: How to enjoy a free breakfast at Denny’s with their limited-time BOGO deal
How have rising food prices affected your dining habits? Did you notice the egg surcharge at your favorite breakfast spot? Have you found new ways to save on your grocery bill—or maybe changed your breakfast go-to entirely?
That’s right—after months of shelling out extra for your sunny-side-ups, over-easies, and scrambled delights, you can now enjoy your eggs without the side of sticker shock.
Earlier this year, customers were hit with a surprising new charge at breakfast spots across the country.
The reason? A sharp and sudden rise in egg prices, triggered by a nationwide avian flu outbreak that devastated poultry farms.
Tens of millions of egg-laying hens were culled, causing a ripple effect through the food industry. One beloved chain, known for serving up more than 272 million eggs each year, introduced a 50-cent-per-egg surcharge in February.
They weren’t alone. Other chains followed suit as egg prices hit record highs. Retail prices for eggs more than doubled in some regions.
Families began feeling the strain, and even grocery budgets took a hit. As egg availability dropped, concern spread—not just among customers, but within the federal government.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins commented last week, saying, “Families are seeing relief with egg prices driving food deflation.” She added that farmers and producers can still rely on USDA tools to assess and strengthen biosecurity.
While the charge may have seemed minor, it represented something bigger. Image source: Andrew Winkler / Unsplash
For diners and restaurants, eggs became a symbol of larger inflation struggles. Customers grumbled, and for chains known for consistency and value, the extra fee didn’t go unnoticed.
Now, months after quietly removing the fee, one of America’s favorite diners has gone public with the update. The egg surcharge is officially off the menu, as confirmed in a recent announcement.
The recovery of the egg supply chain is ongoing, but the numbers show significant progress.
As of June 1, the U.S. had approximately 285 million egg-laying hens. That’s still below pre-outbreak levels, but an improvement compared to the lowest points.
The American Egg Board, which represents egg farmers, credited the stabilization to several key factors. Among them are USDA support, reduced avian flu activity, and a seasonal dip in egg demand after Easter.
Read also: Egg prices under scrutiny: America’s largest producer cooperates in federal probe
The change in egg prices also impacted other chains, including a popular national competitor that also dropped its surcharge in late May. They described it as “great news for Grand Slam lovers everywhere.”
Restaurants like The Broken Yolk, which operates over 40 locations, felt the pressure as supply shortages intensified.
Ed Powers, who oversees operations there, explained: “The price, it almost quadrupled. But also the availability. That’s where it got really scary.” He noted the situation has improved significantly in the past six months.
The chain at the center of the recent announcement didn’t make a big show of the change when it first happened. Instead, they waited nearly a month before officially revealing the update in a celebratory online post.
Read next: How to enjoy a free breakfast at Denny’s with their limited-time BOGO deal
