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McDonald’s restaurants run out of milkshakes across the country

The restaurant group says it has also run out of bottled drinks at most of its UK sites

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 24th August 2021

It appears that McDonald’s is the latest fast-food chain to be hit by HGV driver supply chain issues, as the country wakes up to the news that there is not a single McDonald’s milkshake to be found in the whole of the UK today.

McDonald’s has said it cannot serve milkshakes in any of its UK restaurants due to a supply chain issue, meaning there’s no strawberry marshmallow, no vanilla special, no nothing coming out of the machines today.

The group has blamed a shortfall in its supply chain and said this has affected a small number of menu items, causing a shortage not just on milkshakes but also on some bottled drinks at its UK stores.

A spokesperson for McDonald’s has said that its staff is “working hard to return these items to the menu as soon as possible”.

Reports suggest that the shortage is being caused by a lack of f HGV drivers – a knock-on effect of new EU immigration rules that have come into effect because of Brexit, as well as issues caused by Covid regulations and the ‘pingedemic’.

A shortfall of 100,000 drivers has been predicted by the Road Haulage Association (RHA), leading to lobby groups writing to the government’s Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng asking for MP’s to grant new temporary work visas to EU drivers to help resolve the problem.

Elsewhere, it is being suggested that if these supply issues are not fixed the country may end up with a shortage of turkeys this Christmas if things do not improve.

McDonald’s is not the only restaurant to have been affected, either. A shortage of chicken at popular peri-peri chain Nando’s caused the group to shut fifty of its restaurants last week, whilst KFC and Co-op have also issued statements regarding shortfalls in their supply chains.

Nando’s even went so far as to send some of its restaurant staff to try and help plug the gap and get things moving again.

Business groups are now piling pressure on the government to reverse its decision not to grant temporary work visas to EU drivers, in the hopes that this will get things moving again.

Feature image – Robert Wade.

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Burger King is giving away FREE vegan burgers to meat lovers to prove how ‘tasty’ they are

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Vegan Royale

Reckon you could swap out meat for a vegan alternative?

Now we know there’ll be droves of meat-lovers who read that question with their noses turned up, immediately dismissing the possibility that it would ever be something they’d consider… but what if we told you it was free?

That’s right – Burger King has announced that for the next week or so, it’ll be delivering its delicious Vegan Royale burgers to meat-loving customers for free, all with the aim of giving them a chance to experience just how tasty and satisfying plant-based foods can be, and prove that they won’t miss out by giving it a go.

The Vegan Royale is Burger King’s take on its legendary Chicken Royale burger, and sees a crispy vegan patty – that’s meant to be an alternative to chicken – topped with iceberg lettuce, vegan mayo, and crowned with a toasted sesame seed bun.

Burger King is giving away free vegan burgers to meat lovers to prove how ‘tasty’ they are / Credit: Burger King UK

The fast food chain‘s campaign is in partnership with The Vegetarian Butcher, and comes as shocking new research has revealed that more than 40% of meat eaters admit to having never tasted a plant-based burger.

On the other hand, that same research also found that the UK appears to eb embracing plant-based foods more than ever, as nearly 60% of the population say that are open to trying it.

67% of those who once thought plant-based food wasn’t for them say a great meat alternative burger was what changed their mind – so maybe this is what the Vegan Royale can be for you, if you’re willing to give it a chance.

So, to give hungry customers a taste of what the fuss is all about, Burger King will be offering anyone who orders on UberEats or Just Eat, with a minimum spend of £20, a Vegan Royale burger for free of charge along with the rest of their order.

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But you’ll need to be quick though, as this tasty offer is only available until Tuesday 8 July.

Featured Image – Burger King UK

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The latest on Salford Red Devils financial situation as ‘winding-up’ petition is adjourned

Danny Jones Danny Jones Salford Red Devils finances problems explained

The current situation at Salford Red Devils is far from ideal, with the rugby league team currently owing hundreds of thousands of pounds in debt, not to mention facing further stress over finances with players owed wages, key personnel leaving and remaining uncertainty over future ownership.

So, why is the board expressing reassurance among supporters following the recent adjournment of a ‘winding-up’ petition, and what exactly does this mean?

It is no doubt a complex issue, but with the season concluding in October and the Greater Manchester club essentially being given a stay of execution, for lack of a better phrase, it’s possible that a corner could hopefully be turned soon.

Here’s everything we know so far about the situation in Salford and where the Red Devils’ finances are currently at.

Salford Red Devils’ finances and more – explained

For a start, they’re late on payroll again this month.

How much do Salford Red Devils owe and why?

According to recent reports, Salford Red Devils owe more than half a million pounds to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) at present, with current estimates said to be in the region of £600,000.

The Super League side has fallen into debt due to a number of factors: their own performance as a business, cuts to local funding and a period of spending in terms of recruitment and pre-season preparation under the assumption of a subsidy from Salford City Council (SCC).

However, this would-be uplift – despite it being promised late last year – never came as the Council (having already provided £315k in ‘immediate’ financial aid back in March 2024) U-turned on the decision after it was revealed further backing was not in the budget.

SCC ended up owing around £2 million itself after stepping in to save both SRD and fellow rugby league outfit Swinton Lions, handing out loans to both clubs even prior to purchasing Salford Community Stadium and the surrounding area.

The Council ultimately shelled out north of £7.7m to buy the ground and sever commercial ties with previous owners, Peel. They had hoped to further alleviate pressure on the club, but Salford Red Devils (SRD) had already spent the money they were expecting to receive on new players, training and more.

SRD were then told to sell off a number of players by the league.

Salford Red Devils issue statement after being ordered to sell players by Rugby Football League
Former CEO Paul King was also parachuted back in to try and save the club after his predecessor left almost as quickly as he came.

What is the ‘winding-up’ petition?

With all this in mind, something called a ‘winding-up’ petition – basically a document sent by creditors that demands the immediate liquidation of a company/organisation that owes them money – was filed by HMRC back in May, with the tax authorities demanding payment of the outstanding sum.

However, special dispensation appears to have been made not only due to the complicated and unforeseen circumstances Salford have faced along the way, but also for the sake of the Rugby Football League (RFL) itself, with the Red Devils still seen as a valuable sporting and community asset.

One of those unexpected twists was the takeover by a new consortium led by Dario Berta, whose investment failed to clear in time and resulted in the club being hit with the financial sustainability problem that saw them cutbacks.

In a small bit of good fortune, it has now been decided that the petition to liquidate the SRD has been postponed, though not indefinitely.

What could happen next?

The date for coughing up what debt they owe to the tax authorities has now been pushed back to September, meaning they have until then to find the finances, or else they could very well be made insolvent in a matter of months.

However, as per BBC Radio Manchester, those involved in the ongoing process are “confident” that bridging loans will be put in place over the coming days to keep HMRC at bay.

And, nevertheless, head coach Paul Rowley has insisted that he can see “green shoots” starting to emerge around the club, despite still sitting bottom of the table with just one win to their name.

What’s for sure is that the local area isn’t giving up on them, with numerous fundraisers and charity events being set up to help support the club via the official Salford Red Devils Foundation.

Fingers firmly crossed that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

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Featured Images — Antony Parkes (via Geograph)/Salford Red Devils (via website)

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