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Tight Supplies of Onion Rings Have One Restaurant CEO Nervous

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Portillo’s OsanlooPhotographer: Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg
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Onion rings and fries will be tight this year, according to Portillo’s Inc. Chief Executive Officer Michael Osanloo — another challenge for restaurant operators that are grappling with high food and labor costs.

The limited supply is largely due to a bad crop year for the onions that are used for the fried appetizers. The cost and availability of French fries are also a concern, Osanloo said in an interview in Chicago, adding that prices for the two items have gone up dramatically.