Pizza Hut the latest victims in the Carbon Dioxide crisis

A shortage in the supply of Carbon Dioxide has taken its toll on many different industries and Pizza Hut is the latest to be hit.

Thanks to a lack of Carbon Dioxide, customers are unable to order themselves a fizzy drink or two at Pizza Hut. The restaurant chain is the latest to be hit by the CO2 shortage that has occurred in the UK.

It has already affected other industries resulting in shortages of products including the rationing of beer. Currently it is only localized to the UK and Europe, and fingers crossed it will not be making its way over here.

However, the reason a shortage of CO2 has occurred is because the factories that produce the gas have closed for routine maintenance. Only two of the five plants within the UK are currently running and bad timing has become a huge factor as well.

CO2 is a by-product of ammonia, which is used in the fertilizer industry. Winter is the peak time for production, so with it being the summer, CO2 output was already low. Factor in all the good weather and the World Cup being on, demand for products that require CO2 is higher. This has ultimately led to higher than normal demand with a lower than normal production.

(Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for Pizza Hut)

So while everything is happening in the UK, how it has occurred can easily happen here. All it requires is a few factories to close in the height of summer and for us all to have a higher demand than normal and next thing you know, we too are not able to get a fizzy pop from Pizza Hut.

It’s not just Pizza Hut that requires the gas either. All Fast Food and Restaurant Chains need the gas. Basically anything you drink that has the little bubbles and fizz is using CO2.

The big kicker is, we cannot actually do anything ourselves. Unless we know a shortage is happening there is not much point in trying to ration yourself, unless you are opting for a healthier lifestyle.

All we can do for now is keep an eye out on the situation, and if ever does happen here, go easy on the staff at Pizza Hut or any other Fast Food / Restaurant Chain. It’s not their fault if they can’t give you a pop after all.

Next: Pizza Hut to offer beer delivery

What do you make of the shortages? Do you think it will ever occur in the US? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts.