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Taco Bell joins fast food chains to run into supply shortages

Your favorite meal may not be available on your next trip through the drive-thru.

INDIANAPOLIS — Taco Bell is the latest fast food restaurant to feel the impact of a disruption in the supply chain.

The restaurant said ingredient shortages and delivery delays may mean some of your favorites may not be available the next time you hit the drive-thru. The disruption is a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Sorry if we can't feed your current crave. Due to national ingredient shortages and delivery delays, we may be out of some items," said a message on the Taco Bell website.

A spokesperson for the restaurant told TODAY via email they couldn't provide specific details about the ingredients or menu items affected, but said transportation delays are impacting much of the fast food industry.

Some customers have noted their local restaurants have seen shortages of hot sauce and chicken, TODAY reported.

Other restaurants impacted by supply chain shortages include Chick-fil-A, which has limited the number of free sauces customers get with their meal, but reassured customers the chain wasn't affected by a chicken shortage. Also, Starbucks reportedly told customers last month their summer drinks weren't available. 

Other nationwide chains, including Moe's Southwest Grill, McAlister's Deli and Schlotzsky’s have also reported shortages.

Earlier this year, a surge in takeout orders led to a shortage of ketchup packets in U.S. restaurants. While Heinz said they were increasing their production by 25% to catch up with demand, Indiana-based Red Gold told 13News in April they had created a production plan early in the pandemic that allowed them to double their capacity.

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