KFC Closes 108 Branches in Malaysia Amid Boycott Movement

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in Malaysia faces a significant setback as it announces the temporary closure of 108 branches out of its 600 branches in the country amidst growing support for Palestinians and a boycott movement in solidarity with Gaza.

The decision comes as a response to declining customer numbers following Israel's aggression against Gaza, which has sparked widespread international condemnation and calls for action. 

Reports from The Edge Malaysia newspaper indicate that the decision was made following a week-long decline in customer traffic, directly linked to the boycott movement in solidarity with Palestinians.

QSR Brands, the company managing the KFC franchise in Malaysia, issued a statement highlighting its commitment to positively contribute to the Malaysian community while maintaining brand loyalty for KFC and protecting its employees. Affected employees were offered opportunities to transfer to busier locations as part of the company's efforts to optimize its operations.

"As a company with a 50-year history of serving Malaysians, our focus remains on delivering quality products and services while contributing positively to the Malaysian economy by ensuring job security for our 18,000 team members, of which approximately 85% are Muslims," the statement emphasized.

The closures, visible on Google Maps, represent proactive measures taken by QSR Brands in response to challenging economic conditions exacerbated by the boycott movement. The company aims to concentrate on its busiest KFC stores to maintain efficiency and profitability amidst the ongoing challenges.

KFC has been a staple in Malaysia for decades, serving millions of customers across the country. However, recent events and the subsequent boycott have forced the company to adapt to changing circumstances, highlighting the impact of international events on businesses worldwide.

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This article was previously published on UAE Moments.To see the original article, click here