Chicken Wing Shortage: Some Pittsburgh Eateries Hiking Prices

PITTSBURGH, PA — Redbeard's on Shiloh, a Mt. Washington sports bar, made the decision reluctantly. But the popular neighborhood hangout announced it had few options in deciding to raise the price of a favorite menu item: chicken wings.

"Due to the consistent cost increase and shortage of chicken wings the past two months all over the country, we regret to inform you we have no choice but to raise our traditional wing prices to market price each week," Redbeard's announced Monday on its Facebook page. "Sorry for any inconvenience this may of cause, but it was discontinue wings for the moment or go to market price."

Other eateries likely are following suit, as supply and labor shortages have limited the supply of chicken wings across the country. Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that the advertised prices for chicken wings to consumers at major retail supermarket outlets were $2.72 per pound. That's nearly 20 cents higher than the same week in 2020.

The price hike is largely due to a decline in the number of broiler chickens raised for meat and the pounds of chicken meat produced.

“Even small gaps in the supply of wings can cause big fluctuations in price,” National Chicken Council spokesman Tom Super told CNBC.

The wing shortage has prompted national chain Wingstop to introduce Thighstop, an online-only temporary eatery that will deliver chicken thighs to customers via DoorDash.

"Wingstop pioneered the concept of chicken wings as a center-of-the-plate item," Wingstop CEO Charlie Morrison said in a news release. "Although Thighstop is in its infancy, we've been exploring bone-in and boneless thighs as center-of-the-plate options for some time now as a way to offer fans new ways to enjoy Wingstop's bold, distinctive and craveable flavors.

"We're excited to bring Thighstop to the masses in a way that's familiar and convenient to consumers by providing the option of delivery or carryout."