Nando's announced closing 45 of its UK, Scotland, and Wales restaurants due to a chicken shortage. The spokesperson attributed this to a significant staffing challenge in the British chicken suppliers, exaggerated by Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic.
The franchise particularly pointed to pressure on British poultry dealers following warnings about how Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic combined as a "perfect storm" to restrict production. According to Nando's, multiple suppliers suffered from the disruption in supply chains brought about by labor shortages.
During the pandemic, restaurants and food manufacturers faced difficulties in recruiting staff, increasing the pressure on already strained supply chains. Even after the UK introduced new rules exempting fully vaccinated individuals from quarantine, the shortage of chicken persisted for business like Nando's.
Beyond the specific chicken shortage, the UK's food system is vulnerable to various challenges, thanks to its reliance on imports, seasonal labor, and just-in-time deliveries. This lack of resiliency was observed in prominent cases, such as KFC closing dozens of stores as a result of supply chain disruptions.
Admittedly, recent vaccination rule changes did not directly contribute to Nando's chicken imbalance. However, the broader context of supply chain vulnerabilities and food safety concerns in the UK shows that food businesses may continue to face challenges in ensuring the quality and safety of their chicken supplies.
Source: CNN Business
[1] Huffs, J. (2023, January 22). . The Independent. [2] Dowd, S. (2023, January 13). . The Guardian. [3] . The Sun. [5] . The Guardian.
