Massive queues caused long tailbacks at McDonald's drive-throughs across Teesside as the chain reopened after 10 weeks.
The burger chain opened 497 branches on Wednesday including eight on Teesside, with customers waiting for up to an hour before the serving windows opened.
One man even tried to jump the queue in a makeshift cardboard box 'car' at Portrack Lane - much to the hilarity of onlookers.
McDonald's says staff are still getting used to safety rules and it could decide to close drive-thrus if queues are unsafe.
It has not been revealing locations of branches until just prior to opening, in an attempt to manage demand.
But the long wait-times weren't enough to stop burger lovers who hadn't tasted a Maccy's for 10 weeks.
Queues snaked right round the Teesside Park branch, onto the retail park.
Long lines of traffic at the notoriously busy Allensway site at Thornaby were backed up to Mitchell Avenue, restricting access to the Asda petrol station next-door.
Drivers were heard shouting and sounding their horns as they tried to get past the queue.
Low Grange Farm at South Bank also saw lengthy queues onto the main road.
At Coulby Newham, there were hold-ups at the Stainton Way roundabout and queues around the car park close to McDonald's.
Tailbacks stretched the length of Portrack Lane leading to the drive-thru.
And traffic jams at the Cargo Fleet branch only added to the misery caused by heavy roadworks at the A66 roundabout.
Redcar veterinary staff had a "full on row" with the manager of the town's branch over traffic issues.
Staff were doing their best to keep waiting cars off the main road.
But one woman said: "The queue is blocking the petrol station and car park to the vets.
"My sister is head nurse at White Cross vets and has had a full on row with the manager of McDonald’s for not having people there to divert traffic.
"Absolutely disgusting that people with very poorly animals can’t get to the vets."
Aldi at Coulby Newham advised shoppers to take a different route to avoid getting stuck.
The store posted on social media they expected the drive-through to be really busy on Wednesday, with traffic backing up past Kings Academy.
"If you are planning on shopping at Aldi after 11am, travel via bottom road and past the cathedral," the store said.
Customers in the queues said they had been waiting a long time for their McDonald's fix.
Alana Dawes of Loftus took her daughter Ava to Skelton McDonald's for a treat.
She said: "We went because the queue was quite small and I'm pregnant.
"I've been craving a Maccy's for three months.
"My little lady enjoyed it because I've kept it down."
A McDonald's spokesperson said: "With restaurant teams adjusting to new procedures to enable safe working and social distancing, things may take a little longer – and high demand is anticipated.
"We will work closely with local authorities and the police as required, and may determine that it is necessary to close Drive-Thru lanes if queues cause disruption at busier sites or put employees or customers at risk.”
The chain has said remaining branches will open by Thursday.
