McDonald’s animal protests cause two restaurants to close due to fast food shortages

Two McDonald’s fast food restaurants were reportedly forced to close on Monday after running out of stock.

The restaurants on Teesside are believed to be victims of animal rights protests that affected McDonald’s deliveries over the weekend, reports TeessideLive.

The restaurant on Burn Road in Hartlepool and the branch at Hartlepool Marina both appeared closed when hungry customers turned up for food.

In the early hours of Saturday (May 22) a number of the fast food giant’s distribution centres were targeted by animal rights protesters.

Campaigning group Animal Rebellion had around 50 protesters at distribution sites in Hemel Hempstead, Basingstoke, Coventry, and Heywood, Greater Manchester.

Animal Rebellion said on Saturday the group plan to remain at the sites for at least 24 hours, causing “significant disruption” to the McDonald’s supply chain.

Both the restaurants in Hartlepool on Monday had their entrances to the drive thrus blocked off with cones and signs indicating they are closed.

The notice at the Hartlepool Marina McDonald’s read: “Our restaurant is temporarily closed. We apologise for any disappointment caused.

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“We hope to reopen as soon as possible.”

And at Burn Valley the note stated: “Due to animal protesters blockading our distribution centres we have been unable to receive deliveries.

“Until this situation is resolved and we receive our required stock the restaurant has no alternative but to close.

“We apologise to our customers for the disruption caused by these protests and hope to resume normal services as soon as possible.

“Thank you for your patience.”

Animal Rebellion is demanding McDonald’s commit to becoming fully plant-based by 2025.

James Ozden, a spokesman for the group, said the action is aimed at calling out the animal agriculture industry for their part in the global climate crisis.

He said: “The meat and dairy industry is destroying our planet: causing huge amounts of rainforest deforestation, emitting immense quantities of greenhouse gases and killing billions of animals each year.

“The only sustainable and realistic way to feed ten billion people is with a plant-based food system. Organic, free-range and ‘sustainable’ animal-based options simply aren’t good enough.”