McDonald’s potato scallops: Aussie fish and chips owner slams Macca’s for ‘bulls**t’ potato pie movement

An Australian fish-and-chips shopkeeper has fired at McDonald’s over its controversial new summer menu, accusing the fast-food giant of “stealing” potato supplies amid a nationwide shortage.

Chris Dimopoulos, owner of Victoria’s Blue Sea Fish Shop, claimed McDonald’s is taking potatoes from already struggling businesses for its new potato and scallop line.

WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: McDonald’s is accused of hoarding potatoes as Australia’s supplies dwindle.

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Speaking to 7NEWS, Dimopoulos asked how McDonald’s was able to source so much supplies in such a short time when other companies were struggling.

“Just think of the small shops, if you pull that many potatoes out of the supply chain, what about everyone else?” he said.

Dimopoulos slammed the fast-food giant’s actions as “bulls**t.”

“For me, it’s more about where do these potatoes come from?” he said on TikTok.

“You have an odd 990 Macca’s stores in Australia and serve about 1.7 million customers a day… If you sell one potato pie to every 10 customers, that’s 170,000 potato pies you sell every day.”

Dimopoulos said the industry has just come from the other side of the shortage of dim sum, cabbage and lettuce – and he is not alone.

“Every fish shop I know around here struggles to get fries, potatoes and potato pie,” he said.

“Macca’s puts out a potato pie… and they steal all the damn potatoes.

“It’s the same potato that we use for our fries. If they sell 170,000 potato cakes a day in all their stores, there will be no more potatoes for every mom and dad shop in Australia.”

Dimopoulos’ claim drew a mixed reaction, with many saying they would rather support local businesses than fast food chains, while others said it’s just the way business works.

“I’m with (you) I’ll always eat at a local fish shop,” said one woman.

“I’d rather have your potato cake than Macca’s,” said another.

Meanwhile, others said, “I think bro forgets they’ve been selling potato-based hash browns and fries for years.”

“They have supply chain agreements that would have been in place for months or years to get that done and they typically handle 100 percent of those supplies,” added another.

McDonald’s responds

A McDonald’s spokesman told 7NEWS the potato scallop is a summer special that will only be on the menu for a month.

The company said it sourced the potatoes for the new menu item before the shortage hit.

“McDonald’s Australia has proudly supported Australian farmers for more than 50 years. Wherever possible we prefer to source local potatoes, including Australian potatoes for our famous fries and hash browns,” said a spokesman.

“Our potato scallops are made here in Australia using Australian ingredients. We have been working with our suppliers to source ingredients ahead of the current shortage and in time for the launch of our summer menu.”