Whataburger Cuts Breakfast Hours Citing ‘National Egg Shortage’

June 2, 2015

Whataburger restaurants have cut breakfast hours due to what the company said is national egg shortage caused by an avian flu outbreak.

As of Monday, all Whataburger restaurants have limited breakfast hours, with all restaurants serving breakfast only from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. on weekdays and from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. on weekends while supplies last. Previously, breakfast was available from 11 p.m. to 11 a.m.

“We don’t know why other restaurants haven’t been affected by this shortage yet, but it sure has affected us. Our primary egg supplier was one of the hardest hit by this shortage. The change back to our regular breakfast menu and hours will happen gradually as we replenish our supply; we will be sure to keep you informed,” the company said in a press release.

“We’re working closely with our egg suppliers to do everything in our power to replenish the egg supply at all of our restaurants as soon as possible,” the restaurant’s statement read. “It’s important to know this is a supply issue and is not a health safety issue.”

Pictured top: The Whataburger restaurant in Century. Pictured below: A sign on the front door of the Century Whataburger explains the chain’s new breakfast hours. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.


Comments

13 Responses to “Whataburger Cuts Breakfast Hours Citing ‘National Egg Shortage’”

  1. David Huie Green on June 5th, 2015 1:34 pm

    REGARDING:
    “It is a planning problem when you contract your egg supply from only one or maybe two suppliers.”

    They should plan for a nationwide bird flu epidemic?
    I guess they should also be prepared for alien invasion, rogue comet impact, supernova, nuclear war, …?

    David for being prepared
    (within reason)

  2. The Ricky Scaggs on June 4th, 2015 8:14 pm

    I would totally buy eggs just to century whatabutger to keep breakfast hours from 11pm to 11am no joke concerned citizen contact to whomever applies!!

  3. david lamb on June 4th, 2015 4:31 pm

    Here in Nebraska many egg producers and chicken producers are being bankrupted and possibly going out of business for good due to bird flu. more farms are being affected daily. The whole flock on these farms. are being killed and hauled to local landfills.
    Visit local growers in your area to get eggs and chickens that are unaffected. This epidemic is not over yet.
    Iowa is also affected.

  4. jeeperman on June 3rd, 2015 6:58 am

    It is a planning problem when you contract your egg supply from only one or maybe two suppliers.
    Putting (or getting) all of your eggs in (from) one basket………not so good planning.

  5. David Huie Green on June 2nd, 2015 11:54 pm

    http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/05/26/us-bird-flu-causes-egg-shortage-emergency-measures/

    “As a virulent avian influenza outbreak continues to spread across the Midwestern United States, some egg-dependent companies are contemplating drastic steps – importing eggs from overseas or looking to egg alternatives.

    “A spokeswoman for Archer Daniels Midland Co said that as egg supplies tighten and prices rise, the food processing and commodities company has received numerous inquiries from manufacturers about the plant-based egg substitutes it makes.

    “With a strong dollar bolstering the buying power of U.S. importers, some companies are scouting for egg supplies abroad.
    .
    .
    .
    “The United States is grappling with its biggest outbreak of bird flu on record, which has led to the culling of 40 million birds. The virus has been confirmed on commercial farms and backyard flocks in 16 U.S. states and in Canada.”

    “The highly infectious virus has not crossed over to humans in the United States, as it did in Asia following a 2003 outbreak, but transmission to humans is possible, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

    dhg here,
    It wasn’t a local planning problem but a national health safety result.
    They killed the chickens which laid the eggs. No chicken, no egg.

    David for healthy people, grits and oatmeal

  6. JW on June 2nd, 2015 12:19 pm

    Poor planning by management. Glad they sell burgers 24 / 7 / 365!

  7. Grandma on June 2nd, 2015 11:44 am

    I read that Bird Flu caused millions of birds to be put down. It will take at lease a year for the flocks to catch back up. BTW my free range hens lay brown eggs and I sell the extras. Maybe I should increase my price? ;)

  8. CW on June 2nd, 2015 11:18 am

    I doubt they use regular eggs in a shell, it’s likely liquid egg product (Egg Beaters) just like every other fast food joint.

  9. jeeperman on June 2nd, 2015 10:21 am

    Covering the egg shortage with local eggs is not going to happen unless they go buy them at Winn-Dixie, etc.
    Then the price goes up.

    Eggs supplied to chains like WAB are contracted years in advance.
    You can’t just dial up local Joe farmer and buy 10,000 eggs a day without advance planning.

  10. mq on June 2nd, 2015 10:06 am

    I think there is more to the story!!!
    I agree with all three comments above. They serve more than eggs for breakfast, McD or BK and other chains will love our business, and for a short time locals could cover the shortage. Good Grief – lol.

  11. willis on June 2nd, 2015 7:54 am

    Huh

    Egg McMuffin it is.

  12. Whataburger is stupid on June 2nd, 2015 7:33 am

    Craziest thing I’ve ever heard. But you can still serve everything else. Honey butter chicken biscuit is your biggest seller. But to stop all breakfast after 9am M-F and 11am on the weekend is STUPID. Just what I think though.

  13. Dave S on June 2nd, 2015 7:32 am

    I’m sure local producers can cover the shortage.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News