After Waffle House implemented a 50-cent surcharge per egg at their locations this week, competitor Cracker Barrel said they would keep their egg prices the same.

“Egg prices are staying put, but we’re doubling your rewards. Starting today through next Wednesday, Feb. 12, all Cracker Barrel Rewards members will earn double pegs on all egg dishes,” the chain wrote on Facebook Thursday.

A spokesperson offered more thinly veiled barbs at Waffle House, telling NBC’s TODAY that “A surcharge on eggs? Well, there’s nothing hospitable about that. At Cracker Barrel, country hospitality is as important to us as a hearty breakfast — and that means not charging extra for eggs

Waffle House said its temporary surcharge was due to rising egg prices fueled by the ongoing outbreaks of bird flu impacting flocks of egg-laying hens.

“The continuing egg shortage caused by [highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu] has caused a dramatic increase in egg prices. Customers and restaurants are being forced to make difficult decisions. … We cannot predict how long this shortage will last. We are continuously monitoring egg prices and will adjust or remove the surcharge as market conditions allow,” the restaurant chain told The Daily Beast.

Waffle House also serves significantly more eggs per year, at 272 million, than Cracker Barrel does at around 162 million.

Losses due to bird flu have continued in 2025, with 18,849,000 birds culled in January and another 2,254,300 so far in February according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released Friday.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.