Millions Lost As Chicken Crisis Closes Almost All KFCs Chaos Ensues

Chicken-lovers across the UK are going hungry as hundreds of KFC outlets are closed due to a chicken shortage.

More than half of the fast food chain’s 900 UK outlets have been forced to shut, after delivery problems meant there was no chicken to serve to customers.

The shortage has been caused by the chain switching its delivery contract from the South African-owned distribution group Bidvest to DHL, who have blamed the problems on ‘operational issues’.

Chicken-lovers are going hungry as many KFC outlets are shut

There’s no timescale for the problem to be solved, a KFC spokesperson 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 take to clear the backlog.’

The spokesperson said that workers at the closed branches are being encouraged to take holiday but will not be formally required to do so.

There was no official figure for how much money was being lost, which is complicated to estimate as 80% of the outlets are run by franchisees.

Some media reports estimate that it could be costing KFC £1m a day.
KFC changed delivery companies last Tuesday, with its former distributor describing itself as ‘the leading supplier of logistical and supply chain solutions to the UK hospitality and restaurant sector’.

Delivery issues have forced them to close, as they have no chicken to sell

DHL used software from the company Quick Service Logistics (QSL) to deliver items.

DHL stated: ‘Due to operational issues, a number of deliveries in recent days have been incomplete or delayed. We are working with our partners, KFC and QSL, to rectify the situation as a priority and apologise for any inconvenience.’

After the change, the restaurants began running out of chicken.

The food behemoth addressed the problem on Twitter, writing: ‘The chicken crossed the road, just not to our restaurants.

‘We’ve brought a new delivery partner on board, but they’ve had a couple of teething problems – getting fresh chicken out to 900 restaurants across the country is pretty complex!

‘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.’

For desperate fans, the chain’s website shows which outlets remain open despite the shortage. Chicken-lovers took to social media to protest.

https://twitter.com/IIgossipII/status/965245453980889088

https://twitter.com/sharmz9/status/965620269749604353

About the author

Alice Johnston

Food Editor

Alice is always planning her next meal. She studied English at the University of Bristol before getting her Master’s in newspaper journalism from City University London. She worked on Femail at Mail Online for 18 months writing about lifestyle and food and has also worked at Metro.co.uk, The Guardian, Mumsnet and The Sun. After starting at Culture Trip as a Social Content Producer writing travel and lifestyle stories, she was promoted to the role of Food Editor and now specialises in culinary culture, trends and social issues around food. When she’s not writing, eating or travelling, she can be found cooking overly elaborate dinners, reading cookbooks in bed or playing with her cat, Orlando. Her favourite foods include fishfinger sandwiches, burnt caramel panna cotta, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and oysters.