KFC hit by chicken shortages as Covid-19 impacts supply chains

KFC hit by chicken shortages
KFC hit by chicken shortages

KFC is alerting customers that some of their favourite dishes may be unavailable as the impact of Covid-related supply chain issues hits stores.

Headlined as ‘Sorry if some of your faves aren’t available’ a supply update on the KFC website admits the business, like many others around Australia, is struggling to meet customer demand as the supply chain and workforce have been impacted by the spread of Covid.

“Rest assured we’re doing all we can to get back to fryin’ everyone’s faves as soon as possible. This isn’t the way we wanted to start the year, please be kind to each other, and our staff as they do their best to provide the chicken we all love,” the statement reads.

At Oporto and Red Rooster there are no current shortages despite enormous pressure on the supply chain, according to a spokesperson from the parent company Craveable Brands.

‘Like so many other food providers across Australia, our supply chain is currently experiencing pressures unlike anything we have experienced before.  However we are fortunate to have established, robust and long term partnerships with our supply partners who are enabling us to continue to provide our restaurants with the supplies they need.

Our supply partners have gone above and beyond to assist us in achieving relatively uninterrupted supply to date, but we are forever mindful that the situation is not easy and that it can change at any time.”

Major supermarkets have already placed customer purchase limits on certain items including chicken and poultry supplier Inghams has recorded a six per cent drop in shares due to the current crisis.

Inghams’ managing director Andrew Reeves told Bloomberg “The operational and trading difficulties have resulted in significant operational inefficiency, additional costs and the temporary suspension of a number of Ingham’s products. We are focused on supplying as much product as possible to customers while the current disruption continues.”