Nando's temporarily shuts over 40 UK outlets
A Nando’s restaurant in London
Hannah McKay
Fast-food chain Nando's has been forced to temporarily close more than 40 outlets in Britain, around 10% of its restaurants, after staff shortages hit its chicken supply chain in the latest blow to the country's hospitality sector.
Retailers, restaurants, cafes and bars have struggled to recruit enough staff in Britain since the economy emerged from Covid-19 lockdowns earlier this year, after workers left the sector and in some cases, the country, following Brexit.
Further restrictions forcing people to isolate if they come into contact with someone carrying the coronavirus have further disrupted supply chains, leaving some shelves empty in supermarkets and some restaurants closing for lunch.
In response to customers asking why their local Nando's was closed, the South African chain said on Twitter that "the UK supply chain is having a bit of a (night)mare right now."
People walk past a Nando’s restaurant in London.
Hannah McKay
It also said it was running limited services in some stores because staff needed to complete isolation periods. That requirement should ease after the government relaxed the rules for those fully vaccinated.
Nando's said in a statement it had a team now working with suppliers onsite and it hoped to reopen restaurants by Saturday. Online supermarket Ocado said in July its staff had also worked with suppliers to keep operations moving.
Trade group UK Hospitality said in July that supply chain problems were widespread, with around 60% members telling an industry survey they were seeing delays in deliveries, not receiving products or facing major price increases.
Many companies have been hit by a lack of drivers and operators in food processing centres. While new drivers struggled to train and qualify during spells of the pandemic, Britain has also been hit by an exodus of European drivers.
The Road Haulage Association estimates that around 30,000 drivers have stopped operating in Britain since it left the European Union's single market in January.
As a result, companies are having to pay more to attract workers. Official data showed that underlying pay in the accommodation and food services industry jumped by 5.8% in the quarter from April through June, the highest increase of any of the 24 industries listed by the Office for National Statistics.
A sign on the doors of a branch of Nando's in White City, Manchester, telling customers that the store is closed.
Peter Byrne
The industry executive added that the “complexity” of requirements for products ordered by the like of Nando’s and KFC means they will face greater levels of disruption from staff shortages than supermarkets.
A Nando’s spokeswoman 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, since Monday, a team of our brilliant Nandocas have been supporting our key suppliers onsite – working in partnership to help get things moving again, and this has already had a positive impact on affected restaurants.
“From this Saturday, as a result of the hard work behind the scenes, it is our intention that all of our restaurants will be open again, and all our customers can enjoy their favourite peri-peri chicken.”
The shortages at Nando’s come weeks after rival KFC warned that supply chain issues meant it was unable to stock some menu items.