KFC has warned customers that it is facing a shortage of some items, as it becomes one of many businesses in the UK to be hit by supply issues.

In a tweet on Wednesday night, the fast food chain said: “There has been some disruption over the last few weeks, so things may be a little different when you next visit us.”

It warned that some items are not available and packaging “may look a bit different to normal”.

“We know it’s not ideal but we’re working hard to keep things running smoothly,” the tweet added.

It thanked customers for understanding, adding a plea to “please be patient with our incredible teams – they’re doing a brilliant job despite the disruption”.

The Colonel has just emerged from a long day at the fryers and wanted to share the following message. pic.twitter.com/XuHtQNWe8M

It comes three years after KFC was forced to close hundreds of its restaurants in the UK and Ireland after “teething problems” with a new delivery contractor resulted in a shortage of chicken.

The chain did not say exactly what it was short of this time or which stores were affected, but Sky News has contacted the company asking for further details.

It comes after warnings from other retailers that they are under “increasing pressure” to keep shelves fully stocked due to staff shortages caused by the “pingdemic”.

Industry bosses warned last month that supply chains were struggling due to the number of workers, including lorry drivers and meat-processing staff, being told to isolate by the NHS COVID-19 app.

At the end of July, Sky News reported that the UK was short of an estimated 100,000 lorry drivers and that major retailers were offering bonuses of thousands of pounds to attract them.

Earlier in July, restrictions on drivers’ working hours were relaxed, and a consultation was launched on proposals to streamline the application process for drivers seeking heavy goods vehicle (HGV) licences, increase the number of driving tests, help improve working conditions, and cut the cost of training.

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