Rising egg costs scramble Philly's breakfast scene
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
You might see some eggstra charges popping up on breakfast menus across Philly.
Why it matters: Spots including Philly's popular Middle Child hoagie shop and luncheonette and Darnel's Cakes are raising prices for some egg-based dishes.
The big picture: Egg prices have skyrocketed and could rise more this year as the bird flu and other factors cause scarcity nationwide.
Driving the news: Middle Child will increase egg-based dishes by 50 cents to $1.50, depending on the item, per a social media announcement Monday.
- A classic breakfast sandwich, featuring fluffy eggs, now starts at $10.50.
What they're saying: While the company had been keeping prices flat, the price of eggs has increased around 250% over the last year, the company said in its posting.
Zoom out: Big-chain restaurants have already put in place egg surcharges, including Waffle House and Denny's.
Zoom in: Price increases at restaurants and bakers are starting to pop up elsewhere in Philly.
- Darnel's Cakes in Northern Liberties increased its prices for egg sandwiches and quiches in February, owner Kyle Cuffie-Scott tells Axios.
- Kay Kay's bakery in South Philly has added an egg surcharge for breakfast sandwiches, per CBS.
Cuffie-Scott said that "at some point, we may have to rethink items on the menu" due to the high price of eggs.
The other side: Other eateries are holding their prices firm.
- That includes Federal Donuts & Chicken, which hasn't put in place any egg price increases or surcharges, a spokesperson tells Axios.
- McDonald's also has no plans to add an egg fee and recently expanded its breakfast menu.
What we're watching: Wholesale egg prices have begun to drift lower amid signs the bird flu is easing.
- Yes, but: The upcoming Easter and Passover holidays could cause prices to jump again.
- The USDA said in a recent report that egg prices are expected to rise by 41% this year.