Denny's and Waffle House have dropped the surcharges they added to egg dishes after a significant dip in the price of eggs the past few months in the United States. Both chains had added surcharges earlier this year in response to the wholesale egg price spike due to an avian flu outbreak that affected flocks of chickens in the United States, causing shortages and price increases. The U.S. wholesale price of a dozen eggs peaked at $6.23 in March 2023.
Denny's ended its 50-cent-per-egg surcharge on May 21. Waffle House followed suit on June 2. Since that time, wholesale egg prices are being driven down by fewer incidents of avian flu causing producers to recover egg production and improved availability from egg imports including Mexico, Brazil and South Korea. By May, egg prices had fallen to about $4.55 per dozen and are now averaging a wholesale price closer to $2.54.
The return to pricing normalcy has allowed restaurants to stop passing along additional costs to consumers, which is great for the breakfast diner who saw their breakfast costs skyrocket the past few months.
Now that the price of eggs has finally cracked, Waffle House announced it will do away with the 50 cent per egg surcharge that the restaurant chain put into place in February. https://t.co/3a7j705hyP pic.twitter.com/wnOJpEiHPv
— ABC News (@ABC) July 2, 2025
What Led to the Drop in Prices and What It Means Going Forward
Several factors have contributed to the recent drop in egg prices. The number of new bird flu cases has slowed, which means fewer chickens are being lost to the virus. The seasonal demand for eggs, especially around Easter, has also passed, helping to stabilize the market.
At the same time, imported eggs have helped make up for earlier shortages. These changes have brought prices down to levels not seen since late 2024.
Agriculture officials say efforts to improve safety at farms—such as more inspections and better disease prevention—have also made a difference. Still, experts warn that bird flu could return during future wild bird migrations, which may cause prices to rise again.
For now, Denny’s and Waffle House customers will no longer have to pay extra for egg dishes. The move reflects how quickly the restaurant industry can adjust to changes in food costs. It also shows how supply chain issues continue to affect what ends up on menus—and how much customers pay.
While the current trend is positive, both diners and businesses will be keeping a close eye on the egg market in the months ahead.
