McDonald’s Cuts Breakfast Hours in Australia Due to Bird Flu Outbreak

McDonald’s in Australia has announced that it will be cutting back on their breakfast hours due to an outbreak of bird flu.

CNBC reports that the country, as a whole, has been battling an outbreak of the avian influenza virus, resulting in 1 million hens being euthanized to help stave off the spread of the disease. As a result, Australia is experiencing an unprecedented egg shortage.

This has forced the fast-food giant to cut its breakfast hours by 90 minutes, as it simply doesn’t have the eggs necessary to fulfill breakfast sandwich orders.

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“Like many retailers, we are carefully managing supply of eggs due to current industry challenges,” the company said in an Instagram post dated Monday, July 1, where it also announced that breakfast would end at 10:30 a.m. each day. The post added that McDonald’s was “working hard with our Aussie farmers and suppliers to return this back to normal as soon as possible.”

CNBC also claims that some supermarkets are imposing limits of two cartons of eggs per customer. For instance, “Australian retail giants Coles and Woolworths reportedly imposed restrictions on how many cartons of eggs could be purchased in one transaction across most states.”

Over in the United States, meanwhile, the stores are booming, and customers are taking advantage of the summertime deals.

Only users of the exclusive app are eligible for the Free Fries Friday deal, which McDonald’s said is returning. Customers who make any purchase with a $1 minimum can get a free medium fry through the end of 2024.

Corporate is also urging its customers to place their orders using the app because it will be announcing flash sales all summer long. Additionally, patrons can accrue points that, once the time-limited offers expire, can be redeemed for complimentary food.

McDonald’s also disclosed that franchisees around the country will provide neighborhood specials.

“Affordable prices and creating memorable moments are what McDonald’s is all about,” John Palmaccio, a McDonald’s owner-operator and Operator’s National Advertising Fund Chair, said in a statement to Food & Wine. “As small business owners, it’s our responsibility to deliver great value to our local communities when they need it most. The $5 Meal Deal is the perfect complement to the everyday local deals customers can find in-store and on the app, like the 25% off any purchase of $10 or more deal that I’m offering at my restaurants in Savannah, Georgia.”