KUALA LUMPUR: QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd and KFC Malaysia have confirmed the temporary closures of an undisclosed number of KFC outlets, in response to challenging economic conditions.
QSR today says it has taken proactive measures to temporarily close an undisclosed number of KFC Malaysia outlets to manage increasing business costs and to focus on high engagement trade zones.
Nanyang Siang Pau earlier reported that as of April 27, QSR had temporarily closed 108 outlets across the country.
The report highlighted that Kelantan is the most affected, with nearly 80 per cent or up to 21 outlets suspended, followed by Johor with 15 outlets affected.
QSR said employees from the affected stores were offered the opportunity to relocate to operating stores as part of a tactical strategy to optimise resources in trade zones with higher customer engagement.
"Contributing positively to the Malaysian community, preserving the brand love for KFC and protecting employees of the brand are all priority to the organisation.
"Employees from affected outlets were offered the opportunity to relocate to busier operating stores as part of the company's re-optimisation efforts," it said in a statement today.
As a company that has been serving Malaysians for over 50 years, QSR Brands said the focus remains on providing quality products and services to customers, while contributing positively to the Malaysian economy through job security for 18,000 team members in Malaysia, of which about 85 per cent are Muslims.
"QSR Brands continue to be among the largest taxpayers in Malaysia and take pride in being able to give back to the community through KFC Add Hope and the Wakalah Zakat Fund.
"We firmly believe our rakyat will acknowledge our Malaysian roots, our sincerity and our hard work in contributing to the Malaysian ecosystem," it noted.
QSR operates more than 850 KFC restaurants across Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Cambodia.
It is also the franchisee of Pizza Hut in Malaysia and Singapore, with a network of over 500 restaurants and delivery concepts in both countries.