In response to difficult economic conditions, KFC Malaysia has temporarily closed outlets in the country. This decision comes after reports in the local media suggested that the closings were linked to boycotts over the fast food chain’s perceived connections to Israel.
QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd, the company that operates KFC and Pizza Hut franchises in Malaysia, stated that the temporary closure of KFC outlets is a response to the difficult economic environment. They mentioned that the closures are part of proactive measures to manage increasing business costs and concentrate on high engagement trade zones. The company did not comment on the media reports regarding the boycotts.
Although the exact number of affected stores was not disclosed, local media reports indicated that over 100 outlets were temporarily closed. Employees from the impacted stores were given the option to move to outlets in areas with higher customer engagement, according to QSR Brands. This move aims to streamline operations and cope with the current economic challenges facing the fast-food industry in Malaysia.