‘A Matter of Survival’ as Restaurants Combat Egg Price Surge
A national egg shortage caused by bird flu has spread across the country. It has sent prices soaring and restaurants are bearing the brunt of it.
When your business is mainly based on breakfast, eggs are essential.
“Pretty much a staple,” said Doug Staricha, owner of Papa’s Café in New Hope.
Staricha says Papa’s Café goes through a significant amount of eggs.
“So, 2,500, 2,800, somewhere in there, eggs a week,” he said.
It’s no surprise considering that nearly every meal contains eggs, from omelets, to pancakes to pasta noodles.
“I just got the meat and eggs with potatoes and toast, super simple,” said Chelsea Carlson, a customer from St. Louis Park.
Unfortunately, the cost of making even a ‘super simple’ meal isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.
A case of eggs used to cost $40, and just this week, Staricha paid $130.
“Might not be a breakfast restaurant in a year if this continues, cause it’s supposed to be ongoing,” he said. “It’s not just a quick fix.”
The owner of Papa’s Cafe in New Hope recently had to implement a $1 per egg surcharge to help offset the cost of soaring egg prices.
An egg surcharge
To help weather the storm, Staricha made the tough decision about a month ago to implement a temporary, $1-per-egg surcharge.
“I had to do it one other time and I didn’t like it then. It’s a matter of survival at this point,” he said.
Lucky for him, many of Papa’s clients are loyal customers with a soft spot for small businesses. For Carlson, she’s okay with paying the egg surcharge.
“Absolutely. It’s just a family-run joint, and just always reliable and yeah, really tasty,” she said.
According to United Egg Producers, roughly 104 million egg-laying hens have been lost since the bird flu outbreak began in 2022. The egg shortage is impacting restaurants and consumers alike.
At Crystal’s Egg House Cafe, they haven’t implemented a similar surcharge, but customer Eric Mathson said he’d accept one if they did.
“I suppose I probably would. I mean, I wouldn’t really have much of a choice,” he said. “At a certain point, you wouldn’t go at all, but another dollar or two, I don’t think is going to be that big of a deal.”
For many folks, it’s all about enjoying a good meal and supporting local diners.
“The food is actually really, really good. Service is great,” said Carlson, the customer at Papa’s Café.
The mindset for Staricha is that this too shall pass.
“We’ve been through recessions and it’s just another bump in the road, I think,” Staricha said.
Related: New Hope’s Papa’s Café Offers Up Large Portions of Delicious Food
