KFC in crisis as 562 of its 900 UK eateries shut

KFC in crisis as 562 of its 900 UK eateries shut



Chicken destined for KFC is piled high at a DHL distribution depot after the delivery firm's 'new computer system failed' sparking distribution chaos and forced the popular fast food chain to close 562 of its UK branches.



The poultry drought that forced Kentucky Fried Chicken eateries the length and breadth of Britain to close its doors is thought to be costing the fast food chain £1million a day.



Crate upon crate of chicken in plastic wrapping was pictured at a DHL depot in Rugby yesterday, where it was still waiting to be loaded onto lorries. 



KFC gave no indication of when operations would be back to normal but urged customers to check its website in order to find the nearest open restaurant. As of today, the chain's website listed 562 UK stores as being open.



The problems relate to the appointment of the German-owned delivery company DHL to take over store deliveries from specialists Bidvest.



A new computer software system developed to manage orders and deliveries failed at the end of last week, triggering delivery chaos.



There was also an accident that shut the M6 on Valentine's Day, the day DHL took over delivery duties, that caused traffic chaos.





The DHL depot in Rugby was yesterday described as 'total mayhem' — with pictures showing piles of chicken waiting to be loaded on lorries.



Branches first started running out of food over the weekend.



Initially, KFC removed items from the menu and shortened their opening hours, but hundreds have now been forced to close.



Signs on many of the stores read: 'Sorry, we're closed. We deliver our chickens fresh into our restaurants, but we've had a few hiccups with the delivery today.



'We wouldn't want to be open without offering our full menu, but we'll be back at the fryers as soon as we can.'



The company explained the problems saying: '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.



'We know that this might have inconvenienced some of you over the last few days, and disappointed you when you wanted your fried chicken fix - we're really sorry about that.'





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 firm has set up a 'web page' where 'fans' can find their nearest outlet that is still open. 



Many angry diners took to Twitter to complain to the fried chicken company about the chicken shortage.



One Twitter user complained: 'Drove to two separate KFCs to find one had no chicken and one was closed. What even is my luck? Just want some fried chicken.'



Another asked in disbelief: 'As if KFC is closed coz they've run out of chicken?



While another tweeted: 'KFC in both Cheshire Oakes and Chester Greyhound Park are closed because...they're out of chicken.'



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 2018', while another added: 'Do you know what I would eat? Chips done in the KFC batter. Kentucky fried chips.'



Another person shared a picture of their feast in a Camden restaurant and wrote: 'I survived the great British @KFC_UKI chicken shortage of 2018 #camden #KFCShortageSurvivor.'



Craig Sanders wrote: 'Chickens are on strike. Store has run out of chicken lol.'



A KFC employee, who asked not to be named, said: 'It's annoying and frustrating for us. It's nuts.



'It's damaging the brand. The amount of people trying the door and walking off is incredible.



'We are getting abuse off people who are surprisingly impatient about chicken. KFC changed delivery companies in August.



'A brand new purpose-built warehouse was built and it was all meant to go live on Wednesday.



'There was a crash on the M6 which put deliveries back and they had IT issues.



'Anybody who was due deliveries on Wednesday didn't get it, so they ran out on Thursday. Then the same happened to others on Thursday.'



Another KFC worker from Exeter said: 'A delivery didn't turn up Friday or Saturday. Our branch in Exeter is not open again today (on Monday) and we don't know if it will open tomorrow.



'Workers are not getting paid for it which we think is unfair as it's not our fault.



'We're not happy about it at all. We have been told to be on standby so we have to be around, so technically we should be getting paid.



'We are being told to put it through as holiday but that means using our holiday pay.



'I've heard staff at other KFC branches are also not getting paid. I have already lost over 30 hours of pay.'