Waffle House Scraps Egg Surcharge Amid Price Drop
Waffle House has officially eliminated the 50 cent surcharge on eggs that was imposed in February, a direct consequence of soaring egg prices stemming from the previous administration’s handling of the avian flu crisis in 2024.
Interestingly, the media landscape shifted dramatically with the change in presidency. While inflation under the Biden administration was often brushed aside, discussions around egg prices surged to the forefront the moment Donald Trump took office on January 20. Remarkably, it took only a few months for Trump to rectify what many perceived as a blunder from his predecessor.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins provided an update last week, stating:
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced a comprehensive five-pronged strategy aimed at combating Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Following a record surge in wholesale egg prices due to the previous administration’s inaction, we have seen a remarkable 64% drop in wholesale prices and a 27% decrease in retail prices since their peak earlier this year. It is crucial that we remain vigilant; egg farmers are encouraged to utilize USDA resources for biosecurity assessments as we approach the fall.
“When President Trump assumed office, egg prices were at an all-time high, stretching budgets thin for American families amid escalating inflation. From day one, we prioritized implementing a five-pronged strategy to enhance farm biosecurity and reduce grocery prices. Our efforts are paying off, with families now experiencing relief as egg prices contribute to a broader trend of food deflation, as reflected in the April Consumer Price Index,” Secretary Rollins stated. “While we take pride in the completion of over 900 biosecurity assessments, we urge poultry farmers to take advantage of available resources before the potential challenges of fall.”
A recent NPR report highlighted the struggle Waffle House faced due to rising egg prices. The beloved chain, which serves approximately 272 million eggs annually across its 2,000 restaurants, became a barometer for inflation as FEMA even adopted the “Waffle House Index” to assess hurricane damage.
The temporary surcharge became a symbol of national frustration with soaring food prices, with other breakfast chains like Denny’s following suit. The American Egg Board pointed out that rebuilding the national egg supply will take time; as of June 1, the number of egg-laying hens in the U.S. was around 285 million—down over 6% from the previous year and nearly 13% since early 2022, before the avian flu outbreak.
“The silver lining for egg enthusiasts is that ongoing recovery efforts by farmers, combined with USDA support and a decline in new bird flu cases, have brought stability to both egg prices and supply,” the board remarked. “Moreover, demand typically decreases after Easter, allowing for a more ample supply in retail and grocery stores as summer approaches.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Waffle House announced that the surcharge had been lifted as of June 2, sharing, “Egg-cellent news…as of June 2, the egg surcharge is officially off the menu. Thanks for understanding!”
Egg-cellent news…as of June 2, the egg surcharge is officially off the menu. Thanks for understanding! pic.twitter.com/xXE6giZhRe
— Waffle House (@WaffleHouse) July 1, 2025
For context, here’s a glimpse of the surcharge announcement from February:
Due to bird flu, Waffle House is adding a .50 cent per egg surcharge to all menus @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/hpfn52RIlh
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) February 3, 2025
Local reactions captured the public’s discontent:
EGG CRISIS AT WAFFLE HOUSE IN WENTZVILLE!
Waffle House has added a 50¢ per egg surcharge due to the nationwide bird flu egg shortage. Judge Mike Carter saw it firsthand while dining with his kid!
Prices should return to normal once the market stabilizes. Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/FyISjvq7Ky
— Mike Carter (@Vote4Carter) February 16, 2025
Critics wasted no time in blaming President Trump:
First it was Waffle House and now Denny’s with an egg surcharge…where are those cheap eggs that Trump promised on his first day pic.twitter.com/ljuua6A3Wr
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) February 25, 2025
Waffle House is now charging 50 extra cents per egg as prices spike under Trump. pic.twitter.com/SUP3iVMd6p
— No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC) February 4, 2025
BREAKING: Waffle House announced this evening that they have implemented a .50 cent surcharge per egg.
Thanks, Trump! pic.twitter.com/LTpopOLaVn
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) February 4, 2025
Waffle House & Denny’s adding a 50-cent surcharge to egg dishes. Is that what you voted for, MAGA?
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) February 27, 2025
In a final flourish, the White House weighed in:
Amazing! Thank you, President Trump! https://t.co/asC2lzlo4s
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) July 1, 2025
https://t.co/4LupDv1X4J pic.twitter.com/74446RIpFp
— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) July 2, 2025
