By: Hailey Middleton
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK (UATV)– When the pandemic began, sit down restaurants were forced into the takeout lifestyle requiring more ketchup packets. Causing many fast food restaurant chains to run out of ketchup packets.
Restaurants started increasing their orders of take out style supplies like condiment packets, plastic cutlery, and straws.
As delivery and takeout were becoming the new normal of dining, suppliers really felt the effects of the pandemic.
Delivery trucks have been running behind schedule since the beginning of last summer causing low stock at restaurants and suppliers end.
Companies like Heinz experienced, “a 25% increase in production, totaling 12 billion ketchup packets…a year,” the supplier announced.Heinz also said how they remain in low stock as they try to catch up with orders.
Ketchup bottles can still be found in most grocery stores, but mom and pop style restaurants have resorted to purchasing packets from wholesale stores like Sam’s Club and COSTCO.
At this time most restaurants and grocery stores in Fayetteville Arkansas have not experienced a complete shortage of ketchup packets.
Although fast food joints in Fayetteville have had to access their emergency supply to stay in stock.
Sonic America’s Drive-In has experienced shortages of strawberries, straws, and cherries; But more recently, “have had a hard time getting ketchup on time too.” said Sonic employee Olivia Keaton.
The shed where all over flow and emergency supplies are stored, has made it possible for Sonic to remain in stock of ketchup packets and straws.