Despite egg shortage, McDonald's, others roll out yolked breakfast options
Despite the avian-flu-related egg shortage with which supermarkets and restaurants are dealing, McDonald鈥檚 is trying a new take on a core breakfast item. The 350-calorie聽Bacon & White Cheddar McMuffin聽is on menus in Chicago, priced at $2.99 alone or $3.50 with a small coffee. Radio ads support it.
Lest anyone howl about the timing of McDonald鈥檚 test, keep in mind that Jack in the Box last week introduced a Steak & Egg Burrito. Burger King has been testing a Fully Loaded Croissan鈥檞ich. Just as egg prices were skyrocketing in April, Carl鈥檚 Jr./Hardee鈥檚 introduced the Mile High Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit. The competition for breakfast sales continues unabated, even if egg supplies threaten to dwindle.
According to the聽, 鈥淭he H5N2 bird flu has claimed more than 36 million layer hens, almost all of them in the Upper Midwest. The loss equals about 12% of the nation鈥檚 egg-laying capacity.鈥�
For the major chains, supply is the problem more than price increases since the largest chains usually have commodity prices locked in. And even if supplies tighten more, the biggest clients get what鈥檚 available. In a June 1 statement, McDonald鈥檚, said, 鈥淲e do not anticipate an impact to our ability to supply eggs to our restaurants and serve our customers.鈥�
鈥淲e don鈥檛 know why other restaurants haven鈥檛 been affected by this shortage yet, but it sure has affected us,鈥� 770-store Whataburger said on its Facebook page. 鈥淥ur primary egg supplier was one of the hardest hit by this shortage.鈥� As a result it has reduced breakfast hours to 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. on weekdays but is keeping the usual 11 a.m. close on weekends. For now. Whataburger points out that the shortage has an impact on any item that includes eggs, such as pancakes and cinnamon rolls.
