Greggs is the latest retailer to be hit by supply issues as companies continue to tackle the shortage of truck drivers, according to reports.
The Newcastle-based bakery chain is reportedly running out of cooked chicken in some stores due to issues with its poultry suppliers, according to PoliticsHome.
Customers also posted a lack of food on Twitter, with one person tweeting a sign from inside a Greggs store.
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The sign reads, “We’re sorry but we might not have your favorite sandwich available today.
“We are working around the clock to get more stock in this store as soon as possible. We are very sorry for any disappointment caused.”
It is not known how many stores are having issues or which products are exactly affected.
Greggs has several chicken dishes on his menu, including his Chicken Bake, Oval Chargrill Chicken Bite, and several chicken-filled baguettes and sandwiches.
Similar supply issues led Nando’s to temporarily close 50 restaurants last week, The Mirror reports.
Meanwhile, Costa has a reduced menu, with customers claiming some stores are running out of decaffeinated coffee.
The high street coffee shop chain said on Twitter: “We are facing supply chain issues right now. We are working hard to resolve this issue as soon as possible.”
Greggs and Costa join a growing list of fast food chains that have experienced shortages in recent weeks.
McDonald’s has said it has run out of milkshakes in some of its restaurants, while KFC was forced to remove some items from the menu due to a lack of stock last week.
Although none of the fast food chains have specifically confirmed the problems, UK retailers are struggling with a shortage of around 100,000 heavy truck drivers.
Lack of drivers was a problem before Covid-19, but experts say the shortfall has been compounded due to the pandemic and a backlog of driving tests.
Brexit and post-EU rules have also been linked to these issues. Around 14,000 European truck drivers left the UK last year and only 600 returned, according to statistics.
All major supermarkets – including Big Four grocery stores Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Asda – have seen shelves left empty in recent weeks.
Aldi and Lidl also responded to customer complaints last month.
Greggs’ update comes as the boss of supermarket chain Co-op has warned that food shortages are at the worst level he has ever seen.
Meanwhile, Iceland’s chief executive has said he fears supply chain issues could ‘cancel’ Christmas this year.
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