18-02-2025
High price of eggs impacts popular Des Moines brunch spots
DES MOINES, Iowa — The increasing price of eggs is a concern for consumers in grocery stores, but it's also impacting local restaurants.
The Early Bird is a popular restaurant serving brunch in the Des Moines Metro, with locations in West Des Moines, Ankeny, and Des Moines' East Village. The owner, Kendal Owen, says the high price of eggs has a 'tremendous impact' on his business.
According to the USDA Egg Markets Overview released on Friday, the average cost of a dozen eggs in the Midwest has increased to $7.81.
Grand View's 'GK' looking to cap lifelong journey with another national title
Owen says restaurants typically pay more because broadline distributors deliver eggs around three times a week to each of his locations, so it's more expensive than just buying from a grocery store when the price of delivery is accounted for.
Between its three metro locations, The Early Bird uses between 1,200 and 1,500 eggs in a single day. Their menu has roughly 65 options and a majority include eggs. Owen says the cost of eggs for him has doubled within the last six months.
However, just because the cost has increased for him, doesn't mean the menu at The Early Bird will reflect that.
'It's not our goal to do that. We really want to put our best foot forward to our guest and make sure that our menu prices stay consistent and relevant with the time,' said Owen.
While he doesn't plan to increase menu prices anytime soon, Owen says it may be an option in the future.
According to Owen, if the price of eggs continues to increase, he may have to revisit menu prices in roughly six months. Or, if the cost of other foods the restaurant purchases in large amounts also starts to increase, then menu prices will be reassessed.
However, that is not a possibility the popular brunch restaurant is considering right now, and there are many options on the menu that don't contain eggs.
High price of eggs impacts popular Des Moines brunch spots
DMPD releases video in deadly January officer-involved shooting
UPDATE: Missing 12-year-old found safe
Polk County barn fire likely started from space heater
Pleasant Hill townhome sustains damage in morning fire
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
