MEMPHIS, Tennessee —
Wendy's fast-food chain is the latest company reporting it's experiencing a beef shortage. Kroger is also limiting meat to two per customer to prevent panic buying.
Some factors contributing to less meat being distributed nationwide are panic buying due to the coronavirus pandemic and several meatpacking plants across the country that have been plagued by hundreds of COVID-19 cases among its employees.
Jim Neely, the owner of Jim Neely's Interstate Bar-B-Q, said he's been preparing for a likely shortage for weeks.
"With me being in the meat business, I would be severely impacted," Neely said.
He's confident he won't run out of meat causing him to close his doors. However, it's been something on his mind lately as he's been following the meat plants that are temporarily stopping production because of the virus.
"It’s only going to last so long," Neely said. "The packing companies have already gone back to work."
The Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Stores Association told Local 24 News the FDA and USDA state there is not a meat shortage, but people should expect a disruption in the supply chain. They advise businesses and shoppers to not panic buy.
Neely agrees and is reassuring his customers there is an abundance of meat available.
"Tell them rest assured because I’m going to have my beef ribs," Neely said.