QSR Magazine: Chicken Shortage Forces KFC to Close Most UK Locations

In the United Kingdom, nearly all KFC locations have been forced to temporarily shut down. According to a recent article in QSR Magazine, this issue was caused by difficulties in supplying fresh chicken to many of its stores.

"We won’t compromise on quality, so no deliveries has meant some of our restaurants are closed, and others are operating a limited menu, or shortened hours,” the brand said.

This new challenge came alongside the brand's decision to switch suppliers. KFC had historically worked with Bidvest Logistics but recently switched over to working with DHL. The new supplier says that operational issues were to blame for the recent issue. The company has apologized for the delay and says it will prioritize efforts to make up for the situation.

KFC is currently encouraging franchisees to pay staff as they would regularly despite the delay in shipments. Employees of company-owned locations, which make up the minority of the brand's restaurants in the UK, are being offered short-term contracts during this time.