TOKYO (Reuters) - The operator of McDonald's in Japan said on Friday that same-store sales plunged 21 percent in December from a year earlier after it was hit by a shortage of french fries.
McDonald's Holdings Co (Japan) Ltd restricted sales of french fries to small servings only from Dec. 17 through Jan. 4, as a labour dispute at U.S. West Coast ports delayed imports.
In a new blow, the company also disclosed this week that customers had found objects including a human tooth and plastic in its products, reigniting safety fears.
Monthly sales have suffered double-digit percentage falls since July following a food safety scandal at a Chinese supplier of chicken for its McNuggets. Sales at stores open at least 13 months slid a record 25 percent in August.