KEY POINTS

  • An industry-wide supply chain issue led to a shortage of Chick-fil-A's signature sauce
  • Customers are now limited to one dipping sauce cup per entree
  • Many fast-food restaurants have been hit with labor shortage and supply chain issues

Republicans are calling out President Joe Biden after an industry wide supply chain issue caused a massive shortage of Chick-fil-A’s signature sauce.

Chick-fil-A, one of the largest fast-food restaurant chains in the United States, on Wednesday announced that it was limiting its signature sauce packets due to the shortage. In many of the chain's restaurants, customers will now be given limited dipping sauce per order.

The announcement prompted some social media users, including some GOP leaders, to call out the president on Twitter, despite supply chain disruptions becoming common across industries because of COVID-19-related problems. Republicans were quick to blame Biden for the sauce shortage, along with rising prices, and even the lack of condiments.

Former Ohio state treasurer Josh Mandel took to Twitter to express dissatisfaction with the Biden administration.

“In Joe Biden’s America: Chick-fil-A has to limit sauces because of supply chain issues. Gas stations are having mass shortages and prices are soaring. The price of groceries are skyrocketing (sic). Everyday Americans are hurting and they miss Donald Trump’s America,” he wrote.

"Joe Biden is destroying America," Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, tweeted.

“Is there no limit to how awful Biden’s America can get?” Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., posted.

Chick-fil-A told WTRF that it was "actively working to make adjustments to solve this issue quickly and apologize to our guests for any inconvenience."

Many other fast-food restaurants have been hit with labor shortage and supply chain issues in recent months. In early April, Heinz announced that it was increasing its production by 25% to meet the demand. However, the company faced a shortage of ketchup packets fueled by COVID-19 preventive measures banning indoor dining.

"We made strategic manufacturing investments at the start of the pandemic to keep up with the surge in demand for ketchup packets driven by the accelerated delivery and take-out trends; at the same time, we also fast-tracked future-focused culinary and packaging innovations, as well as further manufacturing expansion plans," Steve Cornell, president of Kraft Heniz’s enhancers, specialty and away from home business unit, told CNN.

Major chains, such as KFC, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Wingstop are battling chicken shortages, with restaurants paying 400% more due to the scarce amount available. Suppliers say they could not keep up with the demand because of a shortage of workers.

The supply chain disruption comes amid a headline-grabbing massive gas shortage as Colonial Pipeline fell victim to a ransomware attack last week that forced its entire system offline Friday. The issue was resolved Wednesday, but the company warned that its pipeline is unlikely to be fully functional for a few days.

“Some markets served by Colonial Pipeline may experience, or continue to experience, intermittent service interruptions during the start-up period. Colonial will move as much gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel as is safely possible and will continue to do so until markets return to normal,” the company said in a statement.

Joe Biden previosusly pledged to distribute 60 million AstraZeneca doses, with India expected to be a recipient
Joe Biden previosusly pledged to distribute 60 million AstraZeneca doses, with India expected to be a recipient AFP / SAUL LOEB