KFC closes outlets after 'teething' issues with new DHL Supply Chain contract

KFC was forced to temporarily close hundreds of restaurants across the UK last weekend when "teething problems" with its new partnership with DHL Supply chain saw it run out of chicken.

The chain handed its logistics operation to DHL last year, when it said it was "rethinking" its processes and "placing distribution and logistics at the heart of our new supply chain strategy".

The operator delivers food and packaging products to KFC's 850 stores, and also manages its warehousing.

It runs the operation with Quick Service Logistics (QSL), a business that specialises in fast food stock management and has been working with KFC since 2011.

When DHL won the contract in October last year, it said it intended to "rewrite the rule book" and create a new delivery model for the restaurant chain based on a range of sectors.

In light of the restaurant closures, a spokesman for KFC said: "We've brought a new delivery partner on board, but they've had a couple of teething problems - getting fresh chicken out to 900 restaurants across the country is pretty complex."

A spokesman for DHL added: "Due to operational issues a number of deliveries in recent days have been incomplete or delayed.

"We are working with our partners KFC and QSL to rectify the situation as a priority and apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.”