Fastfood chain KFC to be strangled by store closures for rest of the week
KFC expects disruption to some restaurants to continue for the rest of the week after a new delivery contract with DHL sparked chicken shortages across the country.
More than 500 of the chain’s nearly 900 stores are still closed.
Many of those open are offering limited menus or have cut their hours.
Twenty-one of KFC’S 53 Scottish restaurants had been forced to close.
A KFC spokesman said: “We anticipate the number of closures will reduce ... over the coming days as our teams work flat out all hours to clear the backlog.
“Each day more deliveries are being made. However, we expect the disruption to some restaurants to continue over the remainder of the week, meaning some will be closed and others operating with a reduced menu or shortened hours.”
Customers have taken to social media to voice their despair.
Ron Sanderson posted: “Disaster. Took the grandkids out to dinner at KFC only to see that it’s shut down. Some chicken shortage. Took them to Mcdonald’s but it’s not the same. Crying in the bathroom. Can’t show weakness in front of them. #Kfccrisis”
Daniel Watts wrote: “It’s crazy to think in 50 years that we will be able to turn round to our grandchildren and say I remember the kfc chicken crisis of 18”.
KFC said staff on short-term contacts working in restaurants owned by the chain would be paid the average hours worked per day over the past 12 weeks. Those on salaries would be paid as normal.
However, 80 per cent of KFC outlets are run on a franchise basis. “Franchisees will be seeking their own independent advice, but we’re encouraging them to adopt this policy too,” the chain said.
The closures were the result of delayed chicken deliveries by DHL, which announced in November it had been appointed alongside QSL to manage the supply and distribution of food products and packaging for more than 850 KFC restaurants across Britain.