We Finally Know Why Waffle House Is So Cheap

If you live or have lived in one of the 25 U.S. states with Waffle House locations, then odds are you've been to one. Possibly at 3 a.m. and in a state of inebriation. But whenever you went and whatever your state of mind was at the time, you likely noticed something common to every Waffle House: You get a lot of food for a pretty low price.

So how does this Southern-fried breakfast food chain, which famously stays open 24/7 through even the worst weather and other disasters, charge so little for such massive heaps of waffles and hash browns? We finally know why Waffle House is so cheap.

#Breakfast #Southern #Food

No frills | 0:00
Fast service | 1:07
Always open | 2:13
It's widespread | 3:34
Volume | 4:32
Low wages | 5:23
Small menu | 6:28
Breakfast all day | 7:21
Merchandise | 8:21
Catering | 9:17
Word of mouth | 10:18
Cutting corners | 11:16

[MashedFood]

What is your favorite meal at Waffle House?

[treeherder]

I used to be a health inspector....believe it or not Waffle Houses are 10 times cleaner in the dining room, kitchen area, and walk ins than the majority of 4 and 5 star restaurants I inspected.

[scottmann]

Waffle House is the only restaurant, sit down or fast food, high brow or low brow, where my order has NEVER been messed up and the food has always been spot on.

[WhiskeySins]

As a west coast person, I didn't end up in an area to make a stop at a Waffle House until I was in Kentucky for a week around 2018. Stopped in to try it just because of all I've heard of it and couldn't pass up the chance, definitely gave me those old diner feelings, sat down, older heavier black gentleman was at the counter and asked me what I was having. Told him I'd need a minute since I was new, he announced to the whole place that we had a Waffle House Virgin in today, guy was one of the happiest restaurant workers I've ever met, sang the whole time, and without a doubt the best hashbrowns I've had came from there. 10/10 would go again.

[coleshupe]

From someone who has worked for Waffle House since 2014, Waffle House employees do NOT get paid enough. Servers get "server" pay but they are not just servers, they are also cashiers, bus-boys, expeditors, dishwashers and janitors. Night shift guys always get screwed at every location i've worked at (15+). The morning shift crews get a busy rush, the second shift guys does some prep and the night shift guy is left with the mess and NEVER has enough time to clean the store and get it ready in the morning. Sure every shift is "supposed" to do their side work and have their job done but there is 0 accountability or oversight. Having a 24/7 place to eat sounds good but when you only run it with 1 or 2 people and work them overtime/to death it is just unrealistic and unsafe. Not to mention it's already harder on your body to work overnight AND night shift works 10 hours while 1st and 2nd work 7's... If anyone wants to know i'm a Rockstar 3rd shift Supervisor.

[shellyagourmet]

It would be great to see employees making more money to reflect the amount of work they have to do

[KrepsyK]

Waffle House is dope. It may be 3 star quality food, but its always at least a 4 star experience. We needed biscuits on Christmas morning and all the stores were closed naturally, that didn't stop Waffle House from selling us a dozen biscuits really cheap and making Christmas breakfast happen.

[PAHighlander]

I first experienced a Waffle House just a few weeks ago in VA on my way to SC. My wife and I set out from our hotel which only served a cold breakfast and we saw WH as we headed to I-95 and decided to try it. We sat at the counter and within minutes had our bacon and eggs and hash browns served piping hot of the grill with a cup of delicious coffee! We were on the road in 20 minutes and the check was less than $20. I left a generous tip for the staff, having enjoyed their friendly banter. It reminded me of a small town diner I lived near in my childhood 60 years ago, especially watching our meals prepared on the grill before our eyes. I wish WH would expand North!

[hobo]

I have eaten at Waffle House's all over the country for years. I've never gotten bad service or a bad meal. My favorite meal anywhere is breakfast, and Waffle House does it right. Chunked and smothered hash browns and three scrambled eggs with extra chunked ham in them is my usual order. The wife had never eaten at a Waffle House until I took her there. Now she is usually the one who suggests going for breakfast so she can get her favorite, a waffle and covered hash browns.

[marknc]

I believe the secret for Waffle House's strategy is in its hash browns. WH doesn't serve French fries. I don't believe they fry anything. Everything applicable is grilled or put on the waffle grill plate. This means that food can be cooked to order. Frying requires that fry oil be kept fresh and hot. It also requires that the French fries be cooked ahead of time with limited time availability before they must be discarded. In contrast, hash browns are grilled and are cooked to order. This allows WH to keep its service level high during times of low customer turnout.

[lord_queso]

3:15 This is so true, it actually saved my family's lives. We lived in Houston, I was driving home late after work and noticed that not only was my local Waffle House empty (highly unusual) but the lights were still on. I pulled a U-ie to be certain and people's food were still on the tables! I checked the weather app, saw Harvey was on it's way, woke up my 8 months pregnant wife with our secret term stating, "I don't have time to explain, gather the important shit, we are leaving now" Pounded on the neighbor's doors (that we knew) told them flood was coming, leave now. Gassed up and left to family up in Abilene.

[brianbutterworth]

They forgot the part about how a fight breaks out every 20 minutes during night shifts...great food though.

[Brian-mpmv]

I will pass 3 IHOP's to get to 1 Waffle House!

[adibabdullah]

Waffle House to me is Better than IHOP, Denny's, etc Late night on Friday and Saturday, when the Drunks come in, is the Best especially in the Hood always a good show 😂, Good or Bad....

[HBrooks]

nothing is 'cheap' anymore. shortages, shrinkflation and Inflation are going to decimate the restaurant industry in the next year. it was fun while it lasted.

[turtledog]

The waffle house has found its new host

[dontdoxmebro]

I’ve noticed the food is getting smaller and smaller. Those waffles used to hang off the plate now they’re smaller than the plate. I used to get more hash browns than I could eat; now a double is the old “normal” portion of hash browns.

[gamingndoggo]

The Waffle House has found its new host

[TheProfessor]

You have to wonder how Waffle House stays open with employees being paying so little for having to do so much work.

[rydersother]

The Waffle House has found its new host