One thing led to another. QSR (M) Brands Holdings Berhad, the owner of KFC fast food franchise in Malaysia has shut down over 100 outlets nationwide, allegedly due to the boycott movement and inflation.
As of April 27, a total of 108 KFC outlets in Malaysia have closed their doors, with Kelantan feeling the hardest impact, followed by Johor (21 outlets & 15 outlets, respectively).
According to QSR’s website, the organisation runs 850 outlets of KFC in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and Cambodia. In Malaysia alone, we have over 600 KFC restaurants. The matter was initially reported by a local Chinese newspaper, Nanyang Siang Pau. The article, however, has been taken down.
Did QSR close down multiple outlets of KFC due to the boycott movement?
“Affected employees will be relocated”
Just last night (April 29), QSR issued an official statement and said these closures are merely temporary. The company did not cite the boycott as the reason but revealed that the challenging economic conditions have caused the closure.
“This is a means to manage increasing business costs and to focus on high engagement trade zones,” QSR said in the statement.
As for the employees in the affected outlets, they are not left behind without a solution. According to the statement, the affected employees will be relocated to outlets with higher customer engagement.
“Employees from affected outlets were offered the opportunity to relocate to busier operating stores as part of the company’s re-optimisation efforts.”
QSR also said that 85% of the employees in KFC Malaysia are Muslims, and the brand, which has been serving Malaysia for over 50 years now has provided job security for 18,000 of Malaysians throughout the years.
Other than KFC, the food-technology company also manages Pizza Hut, Ayamas, and Life as revealed on its website.
What do you think of this move? Regardless, we hope the fast food chain will get back on track in no time.
Also read: “It only shows how obsessed & envious you are” – Mufti Comments on Excessive Boycott Movements
