McDonald’s Milkshake Shortage in the UK
The 2021 McDonald’s milkshake shortage in the UK and the ripple effect that followed are proof that even the strongest or most robust supply chains can become fragile overnight.
The company, renowned for its smooth logistics across the globe, was suddenly unable to serve milkshakes for days across the UK. It was a typical example of why resilience must matter as much as efficiency.
Key Nuggets
- A lack of truck drivers drove the 2021 McDonald’s milkshake shortage in the UK.
- Brexit reduced the number of EU drivers, while COVID disrupted training and forced many workers into isolation.
- McDonald’s prioritized deliveries for main menu items and paused milkshakes and bottled drinks.
- The incident highlights lessons in supply chain resilience, labor planning, policy alignment, and crisis communication.
- African supply chains can apply these lessons by investing in local logistics capacity, workforce development, and adaptive operations.
The Background: Why McDonald’s Milkshake Shortage Happened
August 2021 saw something no one had expected. McDonald’s restaurants across England, Scotland, and Wales ran out of milkshakes and bottled drinks. The fast food giant famed for its robust supply chain suddenly had more than 1,200 outlets facing the same issue.
However, the root cause of the problem wasn’t a shortage of raw materials such as milk or syrup. The UK faced a shortage of drivers following Brexit and the subsequent pandemic restrictions, which also disrupted supply chains nationwide, making it difficult to transport goods.
Unfortunately, McDonald’s supply chain could not get around this one.
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The Driver Shortage
In 2021, the UK had a shortage of about 100,000 HGV drivers. Brexit had driven many European drivers out of the country, with 30,000 leaving after new immigration rules.
COVID exacerbated the driver shortage by halting their training and testing, forcing companies and supply chains to make do with what was available. And then there was the “pingdemic” (mass self-isolation of workers after exposure alerts) that delivered a final blow.
Suppliers were unable to meet delivery schedules.
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How McDonald’s Supply Chain Approached the Problem
The driver shortage necessitated that McDonald’s reallocate all available drivers to prioritize burgers, fries, and other high-demand items. This way, the company was able to ensure all outlets could operate seamlessly despite the unavailability of popular extras.
But making these hard choices meant that McDonald’s had to pause all sales of the product (milkshake), along with some bottled drinks.
Suppliers themselves were also struggling. For example, the company had to pause new milkshake mix orders from Arla, its dairy supplier, to avoid waste.
Arla admitted it could not complete about 10% of its daily deliveries. In parallel, retailers like Tesco offered signing bonuses of up to £1,000 to attract drivers.
Read More: How Brexit Impacted Marks & Spencer’s Food Supply Chain.
The Wider Impact of McDonald’s Milkshake Shortage
This shortage was not unique to McDonald’s supply chain.
Nando’s had to shut down 50 restaurants because its suppliers could not get chicken to the company. Meanwhile, KFC warned of menu gaps, Co-op supermarkets rationed milk sales, and even Haribo found it challenging to get sweets into stores.
But it wasn’t just the companies that were struggling with the issue. Surveys showed that 45% of UK households had experienced food shortages. McDonald’s milkshake shortage was just the most visible symptom of a broken logistics system.
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Lessons From McDonald’s Milkshake Shortage in 2021
The McDonald’s milkshake shortage wasn’t necessarily the company’s fault, but there are still tangible lessons from the incident that extend well beyond the fast food industry.
1. Build Resilience into Supply Chains
McDonald’s operates on a just-in-time model, which has proven effective for many supply chains over the years. But the problem with Just-in-Time is that when shocks hit, there is little to no buffer.
Efficiency without resilience leads to collapse. This is why to avoid a similar situation, supply chains require contingency stock, flexible transport options, and visibility tools that highlight bottlenecks early.
2. Labor is as Critical as Materials
AI is currently all the rage. But without drivers, the supply chain will waste no time coming to a halt. The shortage proved that people are the backbone of logistics and supply chain operations.
Companies and governments must make logistics roles more attractive, improve working conditions, and train replacements faster.
3. Policy Choices Shape Logistics Reality
Brexit removed easy access to European drivers due to stress from immigration rules and border delays. When policy shifts, supply chains must prepare for direct consequences. And the businesses must anticipate labor and trade disruptions so they can engage policymakers early.
Waiting to see the ripple effect of any policy change before taking action is bad supply chain planning.
4. Operational Flexibility Saves Business
McDonald’s supply chain demonstrated its adaptability by prioritizing essentials, and the business supported this by its willingness to trim the menu. Crisis plans should include similar “product prioritization” scenarios.
Companies that know what to cut and how to reallocate scarce resources can keep supply chain operations running even in the face of disruptive circumstances.
5. Collaboration is Essential
No single business could solve the 100,000-driver shortfall that plagued the UK in 2021. But through collaboration, McDonald’s supply chain was able to navigate the challenge relatively unscathed.
For example, the company worked with Arla, while industry players lobbied together for solutions. Collective responses, such as joint lobbying, training programs, or shared transport, can facilitate faster recovery.
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How African Supply Chains Can Apply These Lessons
African supply chains face their own set of challenges, which includes underdeveloped logistics networks, driver shortages, and reliance on imports. The lessons from McDonald’s milkshake shortage can also apply directly.
1. Diversify and Localize
Relying on a single source of drivers, ports, or suppliers creates risk. African businesses can build regional supplier networks and diversify transport routes to avoid total shutdowns.
2. Invest in Workforce Development
Like the UK’s driver shortage, Africa faces skill gaps in logistics. If more companies can invest in structured programs to train drivers, warehouse staff, and planners, it can prevent bottlenecks.
Governments and businesses should create apprenticeships and incentives to grow the talent pool.
3. Use Technology for Visibility
African supply chains are usually reluctant to invest in technology due to the high price tag. But even modest digital tools can improve visibility across supply chains. GPS fleet tracking, digital order systems, and supplier dashboards help predict delays and reallocate resources in time.
4. Plan for Contingencies
African supply chains should define “priority products” just as McDonald’s supply chain did. Food distributors, for example, could prioritize staples like rice and maize during transport shortages. And manufacturers could safeguard access to raw materials first.
5. Encourage Industry Collaboration
In Africa, industry associations can coordinate responses to fuel shortages, port delays, or labor strikes. Shared knowledge and pooled resources reduce vulnerability.
Obinabo Tochukwu Tabansi is a supply chain digital writer (Content writer & Ghostwriter) helping professionals and business owners across Africa learn from real-world supply chain wins and setbacks and apply proven strategies to their own operations. He also crafts social content for logistics and supply chain companies, turning their solutions and insights into engaging posts that drive visibility and trust.
