Zambrero Cairns owner reveals why you might soon be paying more for fast food

Just a week after many fast food stores around FNQ experienced product shortages and snap closures, an increase in menu prices could be lurking. FIND OUT WHY

UPDATE, 4PM: A fast food restaurant owner has revealed that an increase in price could be lurking as fuel prices hit new highs.

Zambrero Cairns owner Vince Toohey said price of the fresh produce are rising due to the soaring petrol price, which in turn could see an increase in menu prices.

“We have seen a gradual increase in fresh produce prices and with the latest jump in fuel costs, it’s only a matter of time,” Mr Toohey said.

The store last had an increase in menu prices during the first week of February.

“There is potential for more price increases,” he said.

Zambreros drive through pic

The speculation comes a week after SEQ floods forced temporary closure of many McDonald’s restaurants across Cairns due to product shortage.

Mr Toohey said they had been OK in terms of product shortages, but struggled to get hold of a couple of items including chicken, sour cream and lettuce.

“We have been pretty lucky. All our fresh produce comes from up here as much as we can get at the moment,” he said.

“Some of our Zambrero products like our meats that are sous vide come from our main wholesaler.

“Where we can, we do source locally stuff.”

EARLIER: FAR North McDonald’s restaurants, that were shut when they ran out of supplies, have reopened this week, but customers have been warned that not all their favourites will be on the menu.

About five McDonald’s in the region were shut after flooding hit a distribution centre in Brisbane, but they were able to reopen over the weekend and Monday morning.

Fast-food rival Red Rooster said it had escaped the worst of the supply pressure because it could source locally.

Red Rooster franchisee Damon Caldwell said supply to his Raintrees and Mount Sheridan stores was not badly affected.

“We are fortunate that most of our chicken supplies are sourced locally from Mareeba,” he said.

“That’s for whole chicken and fried chicken, it all comes from the plant at Mareeba.

“Having a local supplier especially for our main product is beneficial.”

But the stores have had a few complications.

“We had some minor sort of issues with bread, salads supply issues but we were able to get through on the stock we had on hand,” he said.

“Some of our processed or frozen food comes from down south, the bread comes from Townsville.

“Anything we didn’t have we were able to source locally.”

Many McDonald’s restaurants had to shut due to the SEQ floods. Picture: Brendan Radke

McDonald’s had to shut restaurants including Atherton, Cairns Central, Cairns Esplanade, Redlynch and Innisfail for about a week.

“The majority of McDonald’s restaurants in flood-impacted communities of Queensland and Northern NSW have reopened over the weekend,” a McDonald’s spokesperson said.

“We thank our customers for their patience, and we look forward to welcoming them back to our restaurants.”

McDonald's Cairns Central has shut its door for an unknown amount of time because of the floods down south.

The spokesperson said the core favourites will be available at all the restaurants including burgers, nuggets and fries. But there might be some items missing from the menu.

“The distribution centre has starting operating again and we’re anticipating a return to the full menu in the coming days,” the spokesperson said.

Originally published as Zambrero Cairns owner reveals why you might soon be paying more for fast food