[ Results from people trying to cause chaos. ]

From: https://tinyurl.com/5h4ydxrc (oann.com)

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    Waffle House Places Surcharge On Egg Items To `Combat National Shortage'

   OAN Staff Blake Wolf
   2:18 PM - Tuesday, February 4, 2025

   Waffle House, a restaurant chain with over 2000 locations in 25 U.S.
   states, recently announced that the chain will be adding a $0.50 surcharge
   to all egg items at its locations - due to the drastic increase in egg
   prices caused by the ongoing bird flu, which is affecting supply chains.

     "The continuing egg shortage caused by HPAI (bird flu) has caused a
     dramatic increase in egg prices," the corporation told CNN. "Customers
     and restaurants are being forced to make difficult decisions."

   The surcharge will be applied to the diner's approximately 2,100
   locations, with the company describing the move as "temporary."

     "Rather than increasing prices across the menu, this is a temporary
     targeted surcharge tied to the unprecedented rise in egg prices," the
     company, best known for its late-night comfort food, stated.

     "While we hope these price fluctuations will be short-lived, we cannot
     predict how long this shortage will last," the statement concluded.

   The company's website says that Waffle House uses around 272 million eggs
   per year, a staple in the chain's classic all-American diner theme,
   surpassing hash browns and waffles.

   The bird flu outbreak first hit the U.S. in 2022, resulting in the
   infection of around 150 million poultry by February 3^rd, 2025, according
   to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

   The spread of the disease, along with inflation, has led to a decrease in
   supply - which has resulted in prices soaring nationwide by 65.1%,
   according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index.

   The World Organisation for Animal Health also reports that over 300
   million birds have died from the bird flu since 2021. The 300 million
   figure includes both poultry animals and wild birds, although the vast
   majority of deaths have occurred in poultry farms.

   The resulting effect has seen a dozen large grade-A eggs jump from an
   averaged $2.51 in December 2023 to $4.15 in December 2024. However, it
   differs in each state.

     "Not to be the bearer of bad news... But we're in this for a while,"
     said Emily Metz, the CEO of the American Egg Board. "Until we have time
     without a detection, unfortunately this very, very tight egg supply is
     going to continue."
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-- Sean
 
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