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Business Reporter
AFTER more than 20 years of service, fast-food giant KFC has announced it is closing its 12 branches in neighbouring Botswana saying it was “no longer feasible to continue operations”. “It’s with sadness that we as VPB Propco — franchisees of the KFC business in Botswana — announce that KFC Botswana will cease operating during the course of the next week, with all stores closed by June 5, 2016,” reads a statement posted in the Botswana daily, Mmegi.
“Such a step is always, for us, a final resort, and during the course of the last 12 months, we worked tirelessly to seek an alternative. After much deliberation, however, it is clear that it is no longer feasible to continue operations. We’ll, therefore, close our doors in all 12 branches across the country.”
KFC, which for the past five years has been under VPB Propco, paid tribute to the Botswana community, which it described as an “incredible family” that supported the business.
“This is by all means a truly difficult business decision to make, but one that needed to be taken,” reads the statement. KFC Botswana has also confirmed the development and indicated that all of its restaurants were under “provisional liquidation”.
“We’re working closely with the provisional liquidator to keep the business open so we can continue to bring our customers the great taste of KFC they know and love. The current disruption in operations may, however, unfortunately lead to the temporary closure of some of our restaurants,” said the firm.
derick.khumalo