Fast food outlet Oporto has been forced to close one of its Sydney stores after a social media video showed it had been infested by rats.

Key points: The store was closed just hours after the video was uploaded

The store was closed just hours after the video was uploaded The company blamed nearby construction for the vermin

The company blamed nearby construction for the vermin The store will remain closed until health inspectors are convinced rats cannot re-enter

In the video, which has been viewed more than 11,000 times, five rats can be seen crawling on the floor of the Oporto at Broadway after hours.

One rodent jumps up onto the counter and into machinery in the kitchen.

Vijay Kumar posted the one-minute video to Facebook on January 17, with the accompanying hashtags #wholettheratsout and #hygiene.

"This one goes out to all the Oporto lovers out there! Think zillion times before you walk again into this place!!!!!

"Today's Special - Spicey Gluten free Rat Burgers!!!!!"

In a statement, Craveable Brands, which owns Oporto, Red Rooster and Chicken Treat, said the company became aware of the video on the morning it was posted and immediately closed the store.

The rats were seen on the floor, while one jumped onto the counter and into machinery. ( Facebook: Vijay Kumar )

"Vermin appear to have been dislocated by external construction activity in the Broadway area, which can lead to increased activity for surrounding businesses — they appear to have accessed the Broadway restaurant via a ventilation hole, or other access point from outside."

The statement said pest control officers confirmed the infestation was "unrelated to the store's sanitation standards" after discovering no nest inside the store.

The ventilation hole and other potential access points have been sealed to prevent further rats entering the store, the statement said.

"The store has undergone a full decontamination and industrial cleaning process to ensure all surfaces are hygienic and safe.

"The store will remain closed and clean until both Oporto and health inspectors are satisfied that vermin cannot re-enter the Broadway store from outside."

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The company said the incident was unrelated to any other Oporto store in the country, which continued to maintain "rigorous and high sanitation standards".

It has briefed officers from the City of Sydney Environmental Health Food Safety Division, who will now assess both the restaurant and immediate surrounding area.

A spokesperson for the City of Sydney confirmed it had inspected the business and would ensure it met health standards before reopening.

The spokesperson said it was the responsibility of individual food businesses and shopping centres to eradicate vermin and prevent them from entering their premises.

"City environmental health officers regularly inspect venues to ensure these responsibilities are being fulfilled, and can issue fines or order venues to stop serving food if they fail to comply," the spokesperson said.