By Ellie Searl
KFC has closed outlets due to a delivery problem which means they have ran out of chicken.
Almost 500 food chains have been shut down in the UK at 1300 on Tuesday along with about 600 restaurants were closed at 2100 on Monday.
KFC’s new delivery company is called DHL and blames ‘operational issues’ as the problem. As a few weeks ago, KFC changed their delivery company from Bidvest to DHL. The GMB union said it had tried to warn KFC that switching from Bidvest to DHL was a mistake. “The change led to 255 job losses and the closure of a Bidvest depo”, said Mick Rix, GMB national officer.
Deliveries are being made but some restaurants will remain closed. Others are operating with a reduced menu or shorter hours. KFC has set up a web page so people can check what is the nearest store that is open.
About 450 outlets were opened at 1300 on Tuesday compared with the 325 at 2100 on Monday.
The media reports says that this crisis will cost KFC about £1 million per day.
Workers are being encouraged to take holiday, but would not be forced to do so, the company has said.
“Our teams are working flat out all hours to get the rest back up and running as soon as possible – but it’s too early to say how long it will their stores will be closed”.
