KFC reverts to old chicken supplier after massive shortage led to forced store closures

Fast-food chain says it is reverting to Bidvest Logistics after having switched to DHL and its partner QSL for around 350 restaurants

Last month KFC issued a full-page apology in a newspaper for what it described as ‘teething problems’ with its new supplier (Getty)

KFC has said that it is going back to its former supplier for more than a third of its UK restaurants, after a switch caused a massive chicken shortage which forced hundreds of outlets to temporarily shut their doors.

The fast-food chain said that it was reverting to Bidvest Logistics after having switched to DHL and its partner QSL for around 350 restaurants.

“We’ve been working hard to resolve the present situation with QSL and DHL. This decision will ease pressure at DHL’s Rugby depot, to help get our restaurants back to normal as quickly as possible,” KFC said in a statement.

Bidvest said that it was “delighted” to have signed the news long-term agreement with KFC UK and Ireland, to provide renewed supply to up to 350 of their restaurants from 26 March.

“As the UK’s leading food service logistics specialist, we understand the complexities of delivering fresh chicken,” said Paul Whyte, one of Bidvest’s unit directors.

“KFC is a valued customer and we will provide them with a seamless return to our network.”

KFC said more than 97 per cent of its UK restaurants are now back open for business. It did warn, however, that there will still be some limited menus “before we are back to business as usual”.

Last month KFC issued a full-page apology in a newspaper to customers for having to put up with what it described as “teething problems” with its new supplier, DHL.