A MAJOR fast food chain with more than 1,000 UK branches has abruptly shut one of its restaurants.
Fried chicken joint KFC has pulled down the shutters on its site in Ashford, Kent, after decades.
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A spokesperson said: “We’re constantly reviewing our portfolio of over 1,000 restaurants across the UK, and at times, this sadly means we have to close some.
“KFC fans can still enjoy our delicious fried chicken at our nearby Beaver Road and Eureka Leisure Park restaurants, which are just a few minutes’ drive away.”
Shoppers have not taken news of the closure well, with a number posting on Facebook devastated.
One said: “Shock horror another shop closing!”
Another said: “Oh no, be a ghost town soon.”
Meanwhile, a third chipped in: “The whole town is going to be a desert at this rate.”
A fourth added: “There will be nothing left at this rate.”
It comes after a string of KFC restaurants closed their doors for good in recent months.
KFC closed a location in Hull earlier this month, with staff relocated to a nearby branch.
It also shut a solo restaurant in Felixstowe last year and a group of 13 operated by franchise Caskade permanently closed in 2024.
Weymouth, Maidstone, Crayford and Bournemouth sites were among those affected.
The remaining 40 branches run by Caskade were bought by another franchise Adil Group.
KFC is owned by Yum! Brands, however some are run by franchises.
It’s worth bearing in mind it’s common practice for retailers and fast food chains to close branches in underperforming areas or based on customer trends.
How to save money at KFC
Consumer reporter Sam Walker talks you through some of the ways you can save money on your next trip…
Shoppers with a Blue Light Card can use it at KFC, getting 10% off all orders. It might not seem a lot, but the savings add up.
Download the KFC app to play in the KFC Rewards Arcade too. You get one spin per £3 spent.
If you win, you receive a free item, which could include regular fries, a flamin’ wrap, regular popcorn chicken or even six pieces of original recipe chicken.
KFC also now offers a lunch meal deal, every weekday until 3pm. For £5.49, you can get a main, side and drink.
For example, KFC wants to open a further 500 restaurants, creating over 20,000 jobs, over the next 10 years.
The fast food chain also opened two new restaurants in January, including a flagship branch at the London’s O2 Arena.
Two other branches in Clacton and Norwich also recently underwent refurbishment.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
Many food and drink chains have been struggling in recent years with the higher cost of living leading to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses have been struggling due to the higher cost of food, drinks, wages and energy bills too.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration in early 2023, with the owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
It’s by no means all bad news across the sector though, with a number of hospitality chains opening branches.
US fast food joint Carl’s Jr. is looking to expand on UK shores, with plans to open 100 restaurants over the next four years.
Meanwhile, US burger chain Wendy’s opened a number of locations last year, and currently runs 40 across the UK.
Chick-Fil-A opened the first of five restaurants in the UK last month too after exclusively revealing to The Sun in September it would launch in Northern Ireland, Leeds, Liverpool and London.
Wingstop, which currently has 57 sites across the UK, has also said it wants to open 20 more this year.
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