Florida Storms Cause Tomato Shortage at Wendy's

DUBLIN, Ohio – You can still get tomatoes on your sandwiches at Wendy's (WEN), but you'll have to make a special request.

The restaurant chain said it adopted the new policy in December because of a tomato shortage caused by hurricane damage in Florida. Spokesman Bob Bertini said the company couldn't get tomatoes of the quality and quantity it would like.

Signs are posted in Wendy's restaurants advising customers of the shortage. The situation could end in a few weeks, Bertini said, when new crops become available.

The company uses about 85 million pounds of tomatoes a year. Most come from Florida during the winter months, but some also come from California.