Nando's loans 70 staff to suppliers as stock issues force restaurants to close

Nando’s is sending 70 of its team members to help short-staffed suppliers after a lack of ingredients forced a number of its restaurants to close.

The chicken chain has had to temporarily shut some of its sites and pause delivery and collection due to issues with the supply chain.

Posting on Twitter, the group apologised to customers and said some restaurants had closed to restock while others are running a limited service due to team members self-isolating.

A Nando’s spokesperson said: “The UK food industry has been experiencing disruption across its supply chain in recent weeks due to staff shortages, and a number of our restaurants have been impacted.

“However, we can confirm that from today Nando’s will be lending 70 of our brilliant team members to support our key suppliers – working in partnership to help get things moving again.

“We expect to see this having a positive impact on the affected restaurants very soon, so please bear with us whilst we do everything we can to get our famous peri-peri chicken back where it belongs – on your plates!”

Last week KFC UK warned customers that some menu items may not be available due to “disruption”.

The group did not specify the cause of the issue, but businesses have faced staff shortages due to team members being told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace app, while a nationwide shortage of delivery drivers has seen wholesalers warn of delays in the supply chain.

Last month hospitality operators told The Caterer that they were struggling with price rises and last-minute changes to delivery times, while some foodservice suppliers told customers, including schools, they would be unable to fulfil orders.

The government has relaxed limits on lorry drivers’ working hours in a bid to tackle the issue, though the Road Haulage Association (RHA) criticised the measure as a “sticking plaster” that failed to address the shortfall of drivers.

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