McDonald’s has temporarily reduced the window in which its breakfast menu is offered in the wake of an ongoing nationwide egg shortage.
The supply chain issues are linked to what is now Australia’s biggest-ever outbreak of bird flu, strains of which have been found on poultry farms in Victoria, NSW and Canberra over the past month. More than one million birds have been culled as a result to try and stop the spread, and buying limits on cartons of eggs have been invoked at a number of supermarkets.
As of today, McDonald’s has confirmed it will only serve its breakfast menu until 10.30am instead of until midday (though hash browns will remain an all-day item).
“Like many retailers, we are carefully managing supply of eggs due to the current industry challenges,” a spokesperson for the fast food giant told news.com.au.
“We know our customers love a Macca’s breakfast, so to make sure we can continue to serve up fresh Aussie eggs on our menu, we’ll be temporarily offering breakfast until 10.30am only across Australia.
“This means customers can continue to enjoy all their brekkie favourites … they’ll just need to get in a little earlier than usual.”
The spokesperson said McDonald’s is “continuing to work closely with our network of Aussie farms, producers, and suppliers, as the industry comes together to manage this challenge”.
It’s not clear how long the change will be in place.
The move comes after Woolworths became the latest retailer to introduce a two-pack buying limit on eggs due to a delay in stock after a suspected outbreak of avian flu was identified at an egg farm adjoining a packing shed.
The limit impacts customers in NSW, ACT and Victoria and will act “as a precaution” to help mitigate stock issues in the coming months, a spokesperson said last Thursday.
“Along with other retailers, we’re expecting a short-term delay in stock from one of our egg suppliers in NSW, ACT and Victoria, due to the temporary closure of one of their packing sheds,” the spokesperson said.
“Their supply is expected to recover over the next week as they ramp up operations at their other sites.
“Right now, the majority of customers are only buying one carton of eggs at a time, and there’s no reason that should change.
“We encourage shoppers to be mindful of others and continue to only buy what they normally would.”
Coles instituted a similar limit to egg purchases at all of its stores except for those in Western Australia on June 9.
Signs placed in-store read: “Due to a shortage of supply of eggs, we have introduced a temporary limit of two items per customer/transaction.”
“This will help maintain availability and support as many customers as possible,” the signs continue.
“Thank you for your patience, we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”