Milkshakes off the menu as McDonald’s hit by supply chain issues

It comes after Nando's closed its two Basingstoke restaurants and temporarily took itself off food delivery apps after suffering a chicken shortage. 

Now McDonald's is the latest chain to be hit by problems after being left without bottled drinks across its 1,250 outlets in England, Scotland, and Wales as well as a shortage in milkshakes.

The home of the Big Mac has three outlets in Basingstoke including two drive-thrus at Brighton Hill Retail Park and Basingstoke Leisure Park as well as a dine-in eatery in the Top of Town. 

A spokesman reportedly said the group is suffering supply chain issues, but is “working hard to return these items to the menu”.

Only earlier this year, fans of the chicken select were disappointed when the item disappeared off menus nationwide due to supply issues. 

McDonald’s is the latest to be hit by supply woes after Nando’s was last week forced to shut around 50 restaurants amid a chicken shortage. It blamed staffing shortages at suppliers and a reduced number of lorry drivers.

Nando’s was forced to shut around 50 restaurants after running out of chicken (Peter Byrne/PA)

Rival KFC also warned recently that supply chain issues meant it was unable to stock some menu items.

Firms across a raft of sectors in the UK have been battling with a supply chain crisis due to a shortage of lorry drivers following post-Brexit EU immigration rules, Covid-19 restrictions and self-isolation rules.

The supply pressures have also been affecting supermarkets in recent weeks, while manufacturers have reported sharp increases in the prices of raw materials.

Business groups representing the retail and transport sectors have been calling for the Government to review plans not to grant temporary work visas to drivers from the EU.

McDonald’s was not immediately available for comment.