(The Center Square) – Breakfast lovers are rejoicing at a beloved restaurant chain’s decision to remove an egg surcharge, which could also indicate the nation’s economy is improving.
Georgia-based Waffle House added the 50-cent per egg surcharge in February.
The June 27 Egg Markets Overview shows that the price of a dozen large eggs is $2.54. Egg prices were over $6 in January and remained high until a recent drop.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said in an update last week that wholesale egg prices were down 64% and retail costs down 27%.
“On my first day as secretary, we got to work to implement a five-pronged strategy to improve biosecurity on the farm and lower egg prices on grocery store shelves,” Rollins said. “The plan has worked, and families are seeing relief with egg prices driving food deflation in the April Consumer Price Index.”
More than 900 biosecurity assessments have been completed, she said.
Some of the rising costs were blamed on avian flu that swept through at least 36 states, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Arnold said at a House of Representatives meeting in January.
“We have seen 140 million birds put down, a lot of them are egg layers,” he told the committee.
Arnold reposted the Waffle House’s announcement that it removed the surcharge, along with other Republicans.
“Amazing! Thank you, President Trump!” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on social media.
“The Trump effect,” said U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.
Mace also stopped at a Waffle House on her way to Washington, posting pictures of herself with Waffle House employees.
“From one Waffle House waitress to another, thank you for showing up, working hard, and keeping the coffee hot,” Mace said on social media. “We haven’t forgotten where we came from. On to D.C. to vote for the Big, Beautiful Bill.”
