Tom's Pancake House facing 'costly' egg prices amid bird flu outbreak

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – While high egg prices are hitting grocery stores amid a bird flu outbreak, one breakfast spot in Beaverton is also facing the "costly" impact.

Located along Southwest Canyon Road, Tom's Pancake House goes through more than 9,000 eggs a week, according to the restaurant's owner, Greg White, noting a case of around 180 eggs has skyrocketed from $45 up to $140.

“We’ve been able to accommodate our needs, but it has been costly,” White said. “We have to have our eggs...we’re a breakfast house.”

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To adapt to the rising costs, White told KOIN 6 News on Thursday the restaurant has started buying large eggs rather than their preferred extra-large eggs.

Some restaurants such as Waffle House, have raised their prices to make up for the costs, which has a 50 cent per egg surcharge in place.

“Other restaurants, other businesses, have put a premium on egg dishes. We have not done that. At some point, we may have to look at such options. We’re doing as much as we can to keep our prices low,” White said, noting his business has “absorbed” the high egg prices so far.

“We’ll survive it,” White said. “Whatever’s going up is going to come down eventually, but it’s costly in the meantime."

The rising egg costs come amid the largest bird flu outbreak in a decade, as reported by the Associated Press. According to AP, bird flu -- or avian influenza -- is forcing farmers to slaughter millions of chickens per month, making egg prices more than double their cost compared to the summer of 2023.

AP reports that the average price nationwide for one dozen eggs reached $4.15 in December and the Agriculture Department predicts prices will soar another 20% in 2025.