Colorado Businesses Struggle as Egg Prices Continue to Soar
The rising cost of eggs is hitting Colorado restaurants and bakeries hard, forcing business owners to find creative solutions to keep their operations running.
Shortages and Surging Costs
Egg prices have skyrocketed, leaving businesses that depend on them scrambling for supply. Bakeries, diners, and restaurants report not only higher costs but also difficulty finding eggs at all.
Alen Ramos, owner of Poulette Bakeshop in Parker, said the quality of ingredients is essential, making price increases a serious concern.
“For us, quality isn’t an option—it’s a necessity,” Ramos said.
Poulette, which was recently recognized as one of the best bakeries in the country by The New York Times, previously had to raise prices by 10% to keep up with last year’s egg price surge.
After stabilizing over the summer, costs spiked again in late 2024, largely due to avian flu outbreaks and Colorado’s new cage-free law.
“Things were okay for a while. Prices settled at $60 to $70 per case for organic eggs. Then in December, things spiraled again. Eggs became harder to find, and cases shot up to $140 to $160,” Ramos explained.
Business Owners Search for Alternatives
Despite the increased costs, Poulette Bakeshop is not planning another price hike. Instead, Ramos has cut costs in other areas, saving $20,000 to offset a projected $30,000 increase in egg expenses this year.
At Avanti Food & Beverage Boulder, Japanese restaurant Peko Peko serves dishes featuring eggs. Owner Travis Maser has closely followed the avian flu crisis and egg shortages and noticed the problem worsening in recent months.
“I track avian flu, so I saw prices rising in November,” Maser said. “But by January, things got worse—prices jumped from $60 to $160 for 15 dozen eggs, and then suppliers started running out.”
Rather than raising menu prices, Maser has adjusted how eggs are cooked and stored to reduce waste. He and his team now spend hours each week just trying to secure eggs.
“Between my business partner, my chef, and myself, we probably spend 10 hours a week just figuring out where to get eggs,” he said.
With no end in sight for supply shortages and rising costs, Colorado businesses continue to find ways to adapt and survive.
