Egg shortage forces higher prices at metro Atlanta restaurant
Local restaurant increases egg prices
A local restaurant -- Uptown Cafe in Johns Creek -- is adding 50 cents to all egg orders because of the soaring cost of eggs. The cost of eggs has soared because of the current bird flu outbreak.
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. - Local restaurants are feeling the sting of soaring egg prices, with some already passing the cost on to customers.
At Uptown Cafe on Nesbit Ferry Road in Johns Creek, a sign now warns customers of an added charge. It reads: "Due to the soaring costs of eggs – we are temporarily assigning 50 cents to all egg orders."
Egg prices skyrocketing
What we know:
Egg prices have skyrocketed in the wake of the ongoing avian influenza outbreak, commonly known as bird flu. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects egg prices will rise by 20% in 2025, far outpacing the expected 2.2% increase for overall food costs. Prices for farm-level eggs, such as those from free-range or pasture-raised chickens, are expected to jump even higher—by as much as 45%.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price for a dozen large grade-A eggs hit $4.15 in December, up from $3.65 in November. Cage-free and free-range eggs are even more expensive.
The backstory:
The rise in prices stems from an ongoing egg shortage, exacerbated by the continued spread of bird flu at poultry farms nationwide. Since the outbreak began in 2022, more than 145 million chickens and other birds have died or been culled. The majority of those were egg-laying hens.
Before the outbreak, the U.S. had roughly 389 million egg-laying chickens, according to USDA data. Now, some grocery stores are imposing limits on egg purchases, with customers in certain areas restricted to two cartons per household. Others are finding empty shelves where eggs once stocked the aisles.
Dig deeper:
Adding to the supply chain issues is a persistent shortage of truck drivers, particularly those licensed to operate refrigerated trucks. With fewer drivers available to transport eggs, wholesalers are raising shipping costs, contributing to the overall price surge.
For now, consumers and businesses alike are bracing for higher egg prices—and in some cases, a little extra on their breakfast bill.
Egg substitutes
What you can do:
Fortunately, there are some things that you can use as a substitute for eggs when baking and cooking.
For Baking (as a binder or leavening agent)
- Flaxseed Egg – Mix 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water; let sit for 5 minutes.
- Chia Seed Egg – Same as flax: 1 tbsp chia seeds + 3 tbsp water, let it gel.
- Applesauce – ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce per egg (best for cakes and muffins).
- Mashed Banana – ¼ cup mashed banana per egg (adds slight banana flavor).
- Pumpkin Puree – ¼ cup per egg (great for dense baked goods).
- Yogurt (Dairy or Plant-Based) – ¼ cup per egg (best for cakes and muffins).
- Silken Tofu – ¼ cup blended silken tofu per egg (works well in brownies and dense cakes).
- Vinegar + Baking Soda – 1 tablespoon vinegar (apple cider or white) + 1 teaspoon baking soda per egg (adds lift in cakes).
- Commercial Egg Replacers – Brands like Bob’s Red Mill, Ener-G, or JUST Egg offer powdered or liquid replacements.
For Cooking (Scrambled or Omelets)
- Tofu Scramble – Crumbled firm tofu, sautéed with turmeric, nutritional yeast, and spices.
- Chickpea Flour Batter – Mix chickpea flour with water and seasonings for an omelet-like dish.
- JUST Egg – A plant-based liquid egg substitute that cooks like real eggs.
For Binding (in meatballs, veggie burgers, etc.)
- Breadcrumbs + Milk or Water – Helps hold mixtures together.
- Mashed Potatoes – ¼ cup mashed potatoes per egg for binding.
- Oatmeal – Cooked oatmeal can help bind mixtures.
- Psyllium Husk – 1 teaspoon psyllium husk + 3 tablespoons water.