Tribeca Park Cafe would very much like customers to know that the higher prices are not its fault.
It’s an understandable explanation.
The result: an opportunity for some eggs-cuse-flation.
Google searches about egg prices have soared.
Earlier this month,100,000 eggs were stolenfrom an egg farmer in Pennsylvania.
“I’m like, ‘What do you mean some eggs were stolen?’
It’s the same if TVs get stolen: Does it affect the supply of TVs?”
But the constraints on just how many eggs farmers can harvest are legitimately squeezing businesses.
Some businesses have managed to somewhat shield customers from fluctuations.
Online, there’s anecdotal chatter about egg surcharges at brunch and extra-$0.50 egg sandwiches.
“The prices don’t go from high to low.
They inch down, and they fly up,” he said.
He thinks it’s partly accidental, partly intentional.
In the meantime, he thinks the news coverage around eggs is probably helping his case.
“Waffle House is going to provide all the education that people need,” he said.
But many retailers are reaching their limit.
“It really seems like the dam has broken.
Inflation has persisted,” he said.
“Consumers have said that they’re willing to continue to buy eggs, no matter what price.”
It’s also hard to decipher who’s leading on hikes and who’s following.
“Bob’s selling them for $4, and Fred’s selling them for $5.
Is Fred taking the price up, or was Bob taking a loss?”
The media narrative played into expectations and price setting, too.
For companies, the chaos, in theory, provides a bit of cover to add to their coffers.
It looks good to investors, and with everything going on, are consumers really going to notice?
But those surcharges may prove sticky.
And as prices increase, every link along the supply chain sees a chance to up its fee.
Beyond surcharges and price increases, businesses may find other ways to fudge the lines on eggs.
The tariff chaos could generate an “upward impulse on prices,” Mahoney said.
I should probably make an egg pun here, but I am out of them.
There is no denying that we are in an unprecedented moment for America’s eggs.
Thisbird flu outbreak is scary.
The egg industry is hurting.
Restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses that depend on eggs are reaching a breaking point.
Beyond the egg surcharge, he’s trying to get some customers to try a different dish.
And given all the chatter about it, people probably won’t be surprised, either.
Call it the Waffle House effect.
Emily Stewartis a senior correspondent at Business Insider, writing about business and the economy.
