GREGGS is the latest chain to face shortages and is reportedly running out of chicken-based products
Costa Coffee has axed some products and is offering a reduced menu as food chains have been hit by supply chain chaos.
The companies have joined McDonald's, Nando's and KFC in confirming that they have run out of some menu items.
It comes as the boss of the Co-op warned that current food shortages are the worst he has ever seen.
Britain has a shortage of 100,000 lorry drivers, exacerbated by Brexit and Covid, which has left companies plagued with staffing issues.
Photos showed empty sandwich shelves at a Gregg's store in central London.
Gregg's confirmed that supply chain issues had resulted in shortages of some items – reported affecting chicken-based products.
Earlier reports suggested that chicken bakes were affected, however the bakery said there are no current supply issues impacting the popular pasty.
Frustrated customers also took to social media to complain that some Greggs branches had closed early.
The bakery chain said no stores had completely closed due to shortages, but wouldn't comment on early closing times.
A spokesperson for Greggs said: “There are no current supply issues with our chicken bakes and our customers can continue to enjoy these as they usually would.
"Unfortunately, like others , we’re seeing temporary interruptions in supply for some ingredients which occasionally results in shops not being able to maintain full availability on all lines.
"However, we have a wide range of choices in our menu for customers happy to buy an alternative.”
Costa is offering a reduced menu due to the supplier problems, with frustrated customers complaining about a lack of decaffeinated coffee.
The high street coffee chain said on Twitter: "We are facing some supply chain issues just now.
"We're working hard to resolve this ASAP".
The Sun has contacted Costa for further comment and details on which menu items are missing.
Which chains are facing shortages?
A SHORTAGE of lorry drivers has wreaked havoc for fast food chains that have been running out of menu items. Here’s a list of the firms that have been impacted so far…
- KFC – The fried chicken chain warned earlier this month that some items were off the menu due to "weeks of disruption"
- McDonald's – McDonald's is suffering from a nationwide shortage of milkshakes and bottled drinks
- Nando's – The chicken restaurant was forced to close 50 sites due to a shortage of staff at its suppliers' factories. It reopened the branches at the end of last week after sending 70 members of staff to work in the factories
- Greggs – High street bakery chain Greggs confirmed today that it is facing shortages. Photos show empty sandwich shelves at a store in Monument, Central London, while there have also been reports that it is running out of chicken bakes
- Costa Coffee – The company is offering a reduced menu due to supplier issues. It said it hopes to resolve the problem as soon as possible
McDonald's customers have been left frustrated by a lack of milkshakes and bottled drinks as the fast food giant has battled shortages.
A spokesperson said staff are "working hard to return these items to the menu as soon as possible".
The Sun revealed earlier this month that Nandos was forced to close 50 restaurants due to a shortage of chicken.
The restaurant group sent 70 employees to factories to help suppliers hit by a crippling shortage of workers,
Meanwhile, KFC this month revealed that some menu items would be unavailable following "weeks of disruption".
Steve Murrells, the Co-op's chief executive told The Times that supermarket shortages are the worst he's ever seen and that supermarkets are reducing their ranges because of the issues.
He said: "Rather than bare shelves, we’re seeing supermarkets rationalising their lines so they can process more. Rather than three different qualities of strawberry, there is just one grade."
Bottled water and fresh fruit and veg are among the products that have been missing from shelves.
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