KFC to reopen a further 80 outlets for delivery during lockdown

‘We are doing this responsibly and carefully, ‘ says KFC spokesperson

(Getty Images)

KFC has announced it is reopening a further 80 outlets for delivery only during lockdown.

The fast food chain said it will open the additional restaurants this week. By Monday 4 May, the total number of KFC restaurants opened will be 100, out of 900 nationwide.

In a statement on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the US-owned chain said it was taking additional steps to ensure the safety of staff and customers.

“We are doing this responsibly and carefully, with stringent processes and hygiene measures put in place,” the spokesperson added.

“All our restaurants will continue serving a limited menu to help the smaller kitchen teams maintain social distancing.”

KFC is among a small number of fast-food chains beginning to ease back into business during lockdown.

Some have been cooking food for NHS workers and key staff working near reopened restaurants.

On Tuesday, Nandos began operating a delivery service to the public from six of its sites in Manchester and London.

Meanwhile, Burger King has also reopened six sites for delivery and take away and will open eight more on Wednesday – including its first-ever drive-through.

But on Tuesday, McDonald’s said that it would only reopen its sites once it is safe to do so.

Paul Pomroy, McDonald’s chief executive officer for UK and Ireland, said the chain is working with government and trade bodies to establish exactly when it can reopen restaurants.

He added: “Restarting our business is not an easy task even when reopening in a limited capacity.

“We have set ourselves some key criteria for reopening, all of which takes time – first and foremost ensuring the wellbeing of our people and creating the right environment for them to return to work.

KFC said it would use its reopened sites to continue donating food to NHS staff and key workers.

It says it will provide these workers with 10,00 meals per week to be delivered by its partner and delivery service Deliveroo.