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Coronavirus: KFC reopens 11 UK branches for delivery after shutting during lockdown

Jimmy Nsubuga
Updated ·2-min read
BRISTOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: The KFC logo is pictured outside a branch of KFC that is closed due to problems with the delivery of chicken on February 20, 2018 in Bristol, England. KFC has been forced to close hundred of its outlets as a shortage of chicken, due to a failure at the company's new delivery firm DHL, has disrupted the fast-food giant's UK operation and is thought to be costing the fast food chain £1million a day. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
KFC has reopened 11 of its 900 stores for delivery. (Getty Images)

KFC is reopening 11 of its 900 stores across the country for takeaway orders.

The popular fast-food restaurant shut its doors on 25 March after Boris Johnson ordered a lockdown to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Other major chains including McDonald’s and Nando’s are also closed, despite being allowed to stay open for deliveries if they adhere to social distancing rules.

KFC, which made the decision to shut to "protect the wellbeing and safety" of customers and staff, will be operating a limited menu service at the outlets.

Here is a full list of KFC outlets that will be open for delivery:

  • Enfield Coliseum Retail Park

  • Manchester – Hulme and Deansgate

  • Glasgow – Polokshaws Road and Great Western Retail Park

  • Ipswich – Cardinal Park

  • Aldershot

  • New Oscott

  • Tamworth

  • Heaton Chapel

  • Portsmouth

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: The KFC logo is pictured outside a branch of KFC that is operating a limited menu due to problems with the delivery of chicken on February 20, 2018 in Bristol, England. KFC has been forced to close hundred of its outlets as a shortage of chicken, due to a failure at the company's new delivery firm DHL, has disrupted the fast-food giant's UK operation and is thought to be costing the fast food chain £1million a day. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
KFC initially shut down on 25 March. (Getty Images)

A KFC spokesperson said: “Over the last week, we’ve reopened 11 of our restaurants in the UK.

"They’re open for delivery only and are serving a limited menu, operated by fewer team members with new procedures in place to help ensure we’re following social distancing guidelines.

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"There’s still a need for affordable, accessible food at this time – so we want to do our part.

"We’ve also donated thousands of meals from all our open restaurants to those on the frontline, including the NHS and key workers, in partnership with Deliveroo, and will continue to do so each week whilst the situation continues.”

KFC has already supplied more than 3,000 free meals to NHS and key workers in the last week and promised to provide 100 more every Tuesday.

Only a handful of KFC’s 900 stores are reopening, because of the strict safety measures the chain is implementing.

Staff will have to adhere to social distancing rules and will only be allowed to opt-in for work if they can get to a store without using public transport.

Most of its workers will remain on the government furlough scheme and receive 80% of their wages.

Customers can order from KFC using Deliveroo, Uber Eats or Just Eat.

The nationwide lockdown, imposed on 23 March, is due to be reviewed by Thursday.

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab, who is deputising for the prime minister while he recovers from COVID-19, said on Monday he did not expect to make any changes to the restrictions for now.

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