Delivery Problem Closes KFC Stores across UK

Pedestrians pass outside a closed KFC fast food store in south London on February 19, 2018. (AFP)
Pedestrians pass outside a closed KFC fast food store in south London on February 19, 2018. (AFP)
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Delivery Problem Closes KFC Stores across UK

Pedestrians pass outside a closed KFC fast food store in south London on February 19, 2018. (AFP)
Pedestrians pass outside a closed KFC fast food store in south London on February 19, 2018. (AFP)

KFC has finally revealed the real reason behind its closure of several of its restaurants across the UK. Delivery problems led to the closure of 900 branches across the country after they ran out of chicken and chips, leaving fried chicken lovers fuming.

Fast food restaurants in Devon, Bristol, Berkshire, Suffolk, Newcastle and Cheshire were all impacted.
The US based chain claimed there were “teething problems” with a new delivery company supplying them with chicken. Many customers saw the closure decision as “the end of the world”.

The company, which has been operating since 1930, stated that "the provision of fresh chicken through the 900 restaurants scattered across the country is very complex."

"We will not waive the high quality standard, so we had to close some of our restaurants, while the others are working on a short menu or fewer hours," the company said in a statement.

This triggered rage among Britons with a hungry resident from the city of Bristol declaring it "the end of the world."

He wrote on Twitter: "How do KFC officials think about shutting down their Bristol branch because the chickens are running out?”

In Manchester, people queued up outside some branches, while others had to drive their cars for miles to get to others, where they were surprised by the closure.

In Plymouth, officials at a KFC restaurant were forced to close the door and hungry customers had to return disappointed, according to a Plymouth Herald report. Employees at the Milton Street restaurant in Nottingham hanged a banner to apologize for the closure, the Mirror said.

However, nothing managed to calm the anger of fast food lovers, and Twitter saw a flood of angry comments.

Natalie Paige, for example, wrote: "It would be great if the KFC officials announced that all branches were closed so that people do not drive their cars to different areas."

"Unfortunately, our doors are still closed this morning because of problems with delivery," said one of the restaurant workers. We are not sure when we will reopen our doors. Currently, we have no products, so we are unable to open right now. We regret that. "

"We are distributing fresh chicken to our restaurants, but we have some minor problems with the delivery system at the moment," said a spokesman for KFC. “We deeply apologize for any inconvenience we have caused, and we are working to bring all restaurants back to work as soon as possible!”



German Backpacker Escapes Australian Bush Ordeal by 'Sheer Luck'

German backpacker Carolina Wilga lost hope of rescue after 11 nights in the Australian bush. Handout / WESTERN AUSTRALIAN POLICE FORCE/AFP
German backpacker Carolina Wilga lost hope of rescue after 11 nights in the Australian bush. Handout / WESTERN AUSTRALIAN POLICE FORCE/AFP
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German Backpacker Escapes Australian Bush Ordeal by 'Sheer Luck'

German backpacker Carolina Wilga lost hope of rescue after 11 nights in the Australian bush. Handout / WESTERN AUSTRALIAN POLICE FORCE/AFP
German backpacker Carolina Wilga lost hope of rescue after 11 nights in the Australian bush. Handout / WESTERN AUSTRALIAN POLICE FORCE/AFP

German backpacker Carolina Wilga lost hope of rescue after 11 nights in the Australian bush, and only made it out by "sheer luck", police said Saturday.

The 26-year-old walked "confused and disoriented" 24 kilometers (15 miles) away from her van after it got stuck in remote bushland in Western Australia, AFP reported.

As police searched for her by air, the backpacker's ordeal ended Friday when she managed to flag down a woman driving by who took her to police.

"She is still in disbelief that she was able to survive. In her mind, she had convinced herself that she was not going to be located," said Jessica Securo, acting inspector for the Western Australia police.

The rescue was down to "sheer luck".

"I actually spoke to Carolina this morning, so she confirmed that she was very confused and disorientated," Securo told a news conference.

"She basically looked at the direction of the sun and tried to head west, thinking that that would be her best bet of coming across someone or a road."

Wilga had been last seen on June 29 arriving in the van at a general store in the small agricultural community of Beacon, northeast of Perth.

Police found the van on Thursday, abandoned after getting stuck in dense bushland north of Beacon, with plastic orange traction tracks placed beneath the rear wheels.

"It appears that she has somewhat lost control of the vehicle, and then it's become mechanically unsound, and bogged," Securo said.

- 'Overwhelmed' -

She stayed with the van for one day before leaving the vehicle through "panic", hoping to find help.

Wilga was found "exhausted, dehydrated and hungry", suffering from cuts and bruises, but "overwhelmed" to have found someone to help her.

"She had minimal food and minimal water. From speaking to her, she has said she could have planned better."

The terrain "can be quite dangerous", Securo added.

Wilga remained in a Perth hospital and was not expected to be released on Saturday, still needing "emotional support" and treatment for some injuries.

"She's had a good night's sleep. She's had a shower. We've got her some food, which was a massive relief for her. So she's just taking it one day at a time at the moment."

The backpacker is now in "frequent communication" with her family who are relieved and thankful the Western Australian community came together to "throw every resource at locating their daughter", Securo said.

The family had no plans at this stage to travel to Australia.

Police say Wilga had spent two years backpacking around the country, and was working at mine sites in Western Australia while staying mostly at hostels.

"Carolina has told me that she loves Australia. She still has so much travel to do here. She hasn't made it over to the east coast yet, so that's still on her bucket list."