The more than 100 McDonald’s fast-food franchises that operate in socialist Venezuela have run out of potatoes — meaning, no more french fry sides — and are instead offering customers the option to buy a deep-fried arepa flatbread, or a yuca, a starchy national staple.
McDonald’s franchise owners say it’s the fault of a West Coast dock worker contract dispute, The Associated Press reported.
The same contract disagreement also delayed the rationing of fries in Japan just a few weeks ago, AP said.
Venezuelans, however — many of whom have become accustomed to food shortages due to ruling policies — blame their own government. And AP reported that “most of the shortages in Venezuela are driven in part by the country’s tight currency controls,” and the ensuing thriving black market that comes with that regulatory atmosphere.
As a result: a Happy Meal in Venezuela goes for roughly $27 in the restaurant, versus 90 cents on the black market, AP said.
“It’s because of the situation here,” said Maria Guerreiro, who stormed out of McDonald’s when she learned of the french fry issue and complained that her daughter won’t eat yuca, but wanted a Happy Meal, AP said. “It’s a total debacle.”
McDonald’s, meanwhile, issued this statement, AP said: “We will continue to give our clients the McDonald’s experience, offering 100 percent Venezuelan options.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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