A sign recently appeared on the drive-thru order box of a San Antonio-area Bill Miller Bar-B-Q location, informing customers that, for the time being, turkey breast is not on the menu thanks to an issue with its suppliers. The sign reads: “Due to a shortage from our suppliers, turkey breast is currently unavailable. We are working to have this back in stock as quickly as possible. We appreciate your understanding.”
The timing of the turkey shortage might be inconvenient for those who have come to rely on Bill Miller’s smoked meats during the holiday season, as the barbecue chain typically sells whole turkey toms (male turkeys that can feed up to 20 people) and whole turkey hens (female turkeys that can feed up to 10 people) as part of its holiday meal offerings.
MySA reached out to Bill Miller Bar-B-Q to see if the turkey breast shortage will impact holiday meal orders and when the chain expects turkey breast to return to its menu.
In a statement sent via email, Bill Miller Bar-B-Q’s CEO and president, Jim Guy Egbert, said, “While there is currently a shortage of turkey breast, we are working hard to ensure we have supplies for all our holiday Thanksgiving and Christmas orders this season. We plan on bringing back Turkey Breast November 1st through the end of the year.  Reserve your holiday favorites early this year to ensure you can receive everything you are looking forward to enjoying!”
The company also added that the shortage is due to a lack of birds caused by the bird flu that the U.S. has experienced. But, as noted by Egbert, the chain hopes to bring turkey breast back to its menus on November 1.