KFC lettuce shortage: Why some of your favourite menu items have changed

Some of your favourite KFC menu items might look a little different right now, as the fast food giant continues to grapple with a lettuce shortage as a result of the recent Queensland and NSW flood crisis.

A warning on KFC's website, as well as signs in stores, and in the drive-thru, are giving customers a "heads up" that until further notice a "temporary blend of lettuce and cabbage" is being used on all products containing lettuce.

The change will mostly impact burgers, including the popular Zinger.

"We've hit a bit of an Iceberg and are currently experiencing some lettuce supply chain disruptions," KFC tells its customers online.

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"This means you may see a temporary blend of lettuce and cabbage throughout KFC restaurants in NSW, VIC, QLD, ACT and TAS during these shortages," the message continues.

"We're working with our multiple suppliers to provide them with support, but we do expect disruptions to continue in the coming days.

"Apologies for any inconvenience caused, we appreciate you all being Little Gems as we work to get things back to normal ASAP."

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For customers that might not want the current 'cabbage and lettuce' blend, you can mention it when ordering in store, or use the 'customise' feature when ordering online.

"If that's not your bag, simply click 'Customise' on your chosen product and remove Lettuce from the Recipe," the website explains

The supply issues are impacting the entire fast food industry, as well as supermarkets, with a single iceberg lettuce spotted selling for $12 at one store recently.

At this time of the year, much of the vegetables on Australian supermarket shelves are coming from Queensland - specifically the Lockyer Valley as well as Scenic Rim and Stanthorpe. But three months of rain have all but wiped out an entire crop of common vegetables. And while it continues to remain wet, new crops can't be planted.

KFC was among a host of fast food giants plagued by food shortages earlier this year, due to major disruptions to supply chains caused by increasing COVID-19 cases at the time.

Some of its stores had to serve a limited menu due to a short supply of chicken – posting signs to warn customers they were out of things like burgers, original chicken, hot & spicy chicken, popcorn chicken or original tenders for a temporary period.

Back in July 2020, some KFC outlets in Melbourne were also forced to close after being left with reduced stock due to a COVID-19 outbreak.