Scrambling for Eggs: Costco & Trader Joe’s Restrict Sales

Costco and Trader Joe’s have strictly limited the number of eggs customers can buy, leaving them scrambling for alternatives.

USA Today reports that both retailers enacted a purchase limit on eggs due to bird flu. This outbreak has led to significant disruptions in egg production, resulting in shortages and increased prices.

The avian flu has forced farmers to cull millions of egg-laying hens to prevent the spread of the virus, thereby reducing the overall egg supply. In response to these supply challenges, retailers have implemented purchase limits to ensure that more customers have access to eggs. These measures aim to manage the limited supply and prevent hoarding, ensuring that the product remains available to a broader range of customers during this period of shortage.

“Due to ongoing issues with the supply of eggs, we are currently limiting egg purchases to one dozen per customer, per day, in all Trader Joe’s stores across the country,” Trader Joe’s confirmed in a statement to USA Today. Costco customers can only buy three egg packages max, typically sold in cartons with two or four dozen.

Walmart hasn’t imposed national limits except on its 60-count cartons of eggs, which have been capped to two per purchase, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retail giant confirmed to U.S. News and World Report.

Despite the limits, many customers are finding that there are no eggs to purchase at some grocery chains. If they are available, the average price per dozen is around $4, with organic eggs running higher in price. Sadly, there appears to be no end to this issue in sight. According to the Associated Press, the U.S. Agriculture Department predicted in January that egg prices will increase yet another 20% throughout 2025.

Restaurants Are Also Facing Sticker Shock Over Surging Price of Eggs

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In response to rising egg prices caused by factors such as avian influenza and supply chain disruptions, Waffle House has implemented a temporary surcharge of 50 cents per egg across its menu items. This policy, effective since Feb. 3, 2025, applies to dishes containing the product, including breakfast bowls and the Pork Chops & Eggs Breakfast, which will incur an additional dollar due to the two eggs included. Non-egg items like hash browns and waffles remain unaffected.

In contrast, Cracker Barrel has taken a different approach by not imposing additional charges for egg dishes. The restaurant has emphasized its commitment to hospitality and value, even offering double reward points on all egg dishes for its rewards program members.

This surcharge at restaurants adds to the sticker shock consumers continue to face. Eating out may become less enjoyable if these surcharges trend upward and other restaurants also pass the extra cost of eggs along to patrons.

Waffle House, which has 1,900 locations, said the company will monitor egg prices and remove the fee when applicable, per The Wall Street Journal. Currently, the breakfast chain serves more than 270 million eggs a year.