DUBLIN, Ohio (AP)--Tomatoes are available by request only at Wendy's (WEN)restaurants, a short-term policy that began in late December because of crop damage from hurricanes in Florida.

Hurricanes made 2005 one of the worst years in recent memory for agriculture in Florida, which supplies more than half of the nation's fresh vegetables between November and February.
"We use larger size tomatoes in sandwiches and haven't been able to secure them with the quality and quantity that we would like," said Bob Bertini, a spokesman for Wendy's International Inc. (WEN) (WEN). Signs posted in the restaurants advise customers of the shortage.

Bertini said he's not aware of a drop in sales at Wendy's (WEN), the nation's third- largest fast-food chain.

Oak Brook, Ill.-based McDonald's Corp. (MCD) (MCD), the No. 1 chain, said Thursday it is not facing a similar shortage.

"We do not have any tomato shortages and we do not anticipate any because of our good planning," spokeswoman Lisa Howard said. "We have contingency plans if there are any issues, but we haven't had any."

Miami-based Burger King Corp. (BKG.XX), the second-largest chain, didn't return calls for comment.

Bertini said the shortage could end in a few weeks when new crops become available. The company uses about 85 million pounds of tomatoes a year. Most come from Florida during the winter months, with some from growers in California.

The four storms that struck or brushed Florida caused an estimated $2.2 billion in damage to the state's crops and farming infrastructure.

Hurricane Wilma's Oct. 24 sprint across Florida came right after tomato and vegetable plants had been in the ground and near the height of picking season.

01-12-06 2356ET
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