Bird flu-related egg shortage cutting into profits, menu items for restaurants big and small

Restaurants are struggling to deal with higher egg prices and an inability to get enough eggs in the midst of a shortage brought about by a bird flu virus that has wiped out millions of chickens on commercial farms.

Some owners are looking at passing the costs along to egg-eating customers, while others have taken especially eggy dishes off the menu.

An Omaha breakfast and lunch eatery owner says his supplier's inventory has dwindled because of demand and production is down because of federal testing.

The owner of a Des Moines, Iowa, cafe says the rise in prices is costing him $400 to $500 a week.

Egg prices began falling last week, but officials say it could take up to two years to return to normal production.