# Anybody else seen 'egg surcharges'? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 5, 2025, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896 "2025-02-05T00:03:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/1 "2025-02-05T00:03:10Z")
My neighbor just told me this. She and hubby had gone to a local diner for breakfast … and they had a 50 cents per egg surcharge on the menu! As in, instead of raising the price for the various offerings, they just added and additional buck fifty to the price if you ordered a three egg omelet! I think it’s a clever way of getting around the problem when the prices are so volatile, no more reprinting your menus all the time, but I hope it doesn’t catch on. I mean, menu says “2 eggs any way, sausage or bacon, hashbrowns, toast, juice, coffee: $3.99” but then there’s a dollar extra on the eggs, 85 extra for the sausages, maybe another buck to cover the increase on the OJ and the coffee… ---
**Author:** ![Frazzled](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frazzled/32/3368_2.png) [@Frazzled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frazzled)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/2 "2025-02-05T00:04:51Z")
The only one I’ve seen so far is Waffle House. They too are 50 cents per egg. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/3 "2025-02-05T00:14:53Z")
One of my local Denny’s-like family breakfast places started this about 2 weeks ago at $0.40/egg. I eat breakfast out most days at a variety of different places, probably 10 total in a loose rotation. So far only the one brand has done a surcharge. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/4 "2025-02-05T00:46:21Z")
At least with a surcharge you have a chance to get the price rolled back in a few months… If they change the price as a whole it Will stay baked-in for all future. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/5 "2025-02-05T03:14:05Z")
Eggs in Canada still cost thirty cents each, although you could pay more if you buy small amounts or at certain grocers. Not seen any surcharges here. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/6 "2025-02-05T03:39:03Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > At least with a surcharge you have a chance to get the price rolled back in a few months… One of my favorite taco trucks here in Olympia announced a “temporary” surcharge for carne asada at the beginning of covid due to the beef shortage that was happening at the time. It’s still in effect. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/7 "2025-02-05T06:32:58Z")
Waffle House has started doing it, so it’s pretty widespread even if it was just them doing it. > **[Want Eggs With Your Breakfast? Pay a Surcharge, Waffle House Says.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/business/waffle-house-egg-surcharge.html)** > > The restaurant chain, which serves breakfast all day, said it was adding the temporary 50-cent surcharge because the bird flu has caused a shortage in the egg supply. ETA: Yeah, it was mentioned in the second post, but I provided a cite. 🤡 ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/8 "2025-02-05T10:00:55Z")
From one who cannot eat eggs (and trust me, you do not want to see what happens if I try), I’m glad to see this. Diner breakfasts need not be “two eggs any style, and …,” as so many diner menus proclaim. Such a breakfast can be good and filling without eggs. I’ve long advocated for “Ham, bacon, or sausage; home fries, toast, juice, and coffee, $5.99; add two eggs, any style, $2 extra.” But that doesn’t happen. Maybe it will now, and I can get a breakfast that will start my day without making me sick. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/9 "2025-02-05T13:25:45Z")
My dad was allergic to eggs, so I understand your frustration. The one time he and I went to Waffle House we spent five minutes scouring the menu to find something eggless. The only thing was the biscuits and gravy. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/10 "2025-02-05T13:46:08Z")
Could have the egg, bacon, sausage, and egg, that’s not got much egg in it… ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/11 "2025-02-05T14:33:40Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Maybe it will now, and I can get a breakfast that will start my day without making me sick. Do the places you go not serve waffles or French toast or anything other than eggs or do waffles/pancakes also make you sick or is it that you specifically want the “2 egg breakfast” without the eggs ? It’s possible to get the latter at chains like Denny’s or Perkins which usually have a “Build your own” option where you pick any four items out of a choice of maybe ten. But I have to say, I often order items without cheese or avocado or whatever and I never have a problem getting it that way - I don’t get a discount for skipping whatever, but I don’t care. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/12 "2025-02-05T15:16:00Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > At least with a surcharge you have a chance to get the price rolled back in a few months They won’t roll back. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/13 "2025-02-05T15:28:07Z")
As @Broomstick mentioned in another thread, responding to cost increases (or seeking to maximize profit) are certainly one reason for this kind of surcharge, but it’s also a way to decrease demand (while not harming overall profitability) when a commodity becomes scarce. Two concepts that may interest people: 1. Price sensitivity testing: > **[Pricing Sensitivity: Definition, Benefits & How to Measure It](https://www.qualtrics.com/experience-management/product/pricing-sensitivity/)** > > Discover the factors influencing consumer price sensitivity, and explore tools and techniques for getting the balance just right. 1. A major advantage of retail ‘loyalty programs’ is that they allow price sensitivity testing to be conducted at _the individual_ level. They can see _your_ purchasing behavior and how it’s affected by price increases, decreases, coupons, and other promotions. They can then tailor pricing and marketing _to you_ in a way that maximizes their profit: > **[Top Guide to Price Sensitivity - Pricefy Blog](https://www.pricefy.io/articles/top-guide-to-price-sensitivity)** > > Discover the importance of price sensitivity and how to determine it for effective pricing strategies. Learn about advanced tools for accurate analysis. Price sensitivity is a critical concept in marketing. It gauges how consumers respond to price... Viewed through the long lens of commerce, this is a very new capability for companies to avail themselves of. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/14 "2025-02-05T16:01:52Z")
How is this so different than what the budget airlines do? You want to fly somewhere? That’ll be 30¢, please. Oh you want to bring _anything_ on with you, like just a toothbrush? That’ll be an extra charge; even more if you don’t buy it in advance! Oh you want to sit (& you’re not allowed to go SRO)? That’ll be an extra charge; even more if you don’t buy it in advance! Oh you want a drink? That’ll be an extra charge; even more if you don’t buy it in advance! Oh you want to use the lavatory? That’ll be an extra charge; even more if you don’t buy it in advance! Oh you want to have air to breathe (yanno, required for living)? That’ll be an extra charge; even more if you don’t buy it in advance! Total bill, _before_ taxes = $90 bazillion dollars > [@Folly](#): > > Could have the egg, bacon, sausage, and egg, that’s not got much egg in it… nor much spam in it, either ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/15 "2025-02-05T16:13:27Z")
> [@Catamount](#): > > The one time he and I went to Waffle House we spent five minutes scouring the menu to find something eggless. I don’t wanna be insulting, but y’all are rank Waffle House amateurs. Despite their name, their most famous and most delicious food is their hash browns, which you can order cut, chopped, smothered, high, choked, frilled, or punked (if I remember correctly). ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/16 "2025-02-05T17:23:03Z")
It was our first time there. My dad avoided breakfast places for obvious reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/17 "2025-02-05T18:23:05Z")
I’m just fooling around, but the underlying truth is that their hashbrowns–greasy and salty–are a sublimely nasty treat and are a great breakfast option for someone whose only dietary concern is avoiding eggs. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/18 "2025-02-05T18:42:15Z")
I agree 100,000 percent. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/19 "2025-02-05T18:56:11Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > the underlying truth is that their hashbrowns–greasy and salty–are a sublimely nasty treat and are a great breakfast option for someone whose only dietary concern is curing a hangover. there, I fixed it for you ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896/20 "2025-02-05T18:56:34Z")
I worry about how poor Ron Swanson is coping in these troubled times. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/HrIeP798hiQ/hqdefault.jpg "Just give me all the bacon and eggs you have...") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrIeP798hiQ) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-seen-egg-surcharges/1013896.md?page=2)