DHL chief promises step-by-step improvement at KFC Published Tuesday 20 February 2018 4:18 pm John Boulter, managing director retail at DHL, has apologised for the interruption of supplies of chicken to KFC restaurants, saying “we are committed to step-by-step improvements to allow KFC to re-open its stores over the coming days”. Hundreds of KFC outlets remained closed on Tuesday as a result of the delays. KFC has been publishing a list of open stores on its web site. Boulter said: “DHL regrets the interruption of supply and is working diligently to rectify the situation by working with KFC and other partners involved in the supply chain. “The reasons for this unforeseen interruption of this complex service are being worked on with a goal to return to normal service levels as soon as possible. With the help of our partner QSL, we are committed to step by step improvements to allow KFC to re-open its stores over the coming days. “While we are not the only party responsible for the supply chain to KFC, we do apologise for the inconvenience and disappointment caused to KFC and their customers by this incident.” The GMB union, which has members at Bidvest Logistics which held the KFC contract before DHL took it over, has claimed that KFC knew of the problems three weeks ago. GMB national officer Mick Rix told “The Guardian” that the union would like KFC to go back to Bidvest.

Almost 650 out of KFC’s 900 restaurants were open for business by mid-afternoon on Wednesday (21st February) according to the company’s web site as deliveries continued to ramp up. That compares to about half of the total open 24 hours before. Delivery problems came to light following the switch of the logistics contract from Bidvest to DHL, which is working with partner Quick Service Logistics (QSL). KFC took to Twitter yesterday to provide customers with an update saying: “We changed our delivery partner last week – Valentine’s Day actually. But Cupid’s arrow wasn’t firing for us, and we’ve run into some complicated distribution problems.” A statement from DHL on Tuesday said: “The reasons for this unforeseen interruption of this complex service are being worked on with a goal to return to normal service levels as soon as possible. With the help of our partner QSL, we are committed to step by step improvements to allow KFC to re-open its stores over the coming days.” The GMB union has called on KFC and DHL to join forces to make sure affected workers are paid for the hours they’ve lost. KFC said that hourly paid team members in KFC-owned restaurants will be paid on the basis of the average hours they have worked over the previous 12 weeks or they can take holiday. Franchisees were taking independent advice, but KFC said nine out of ten team members would not be worse off. “Were ensuring we everything possible for the remaining ten per cent,” it said. The “chicken crisis” has prompted a frenzy of activity on social media:   Disaster. Took the Grandkids out to dinner at KFC only to see that it's shut down. Some chicken shortage. Took them to McDonald's but it's not the same. Crying in the bathroom. Can't show weakness in front of them. #KFCCrisis — Ron Sanderson (@R_Sanderson1952) February 19, 2018   #KFCCrisis..police arrest man responsible for KFC chicken disasterpic.twitter.com/yf4Se1HhHf — JezH2O (@JezH2O) February 19, 2018   I suspect FOWL PLAY has been the main reason no chicken is available at KFC#KFCCrisis — Mark D Hogan (@MarkDHogan63) February 19, 2018 Even the police got involved: Please do not contact us about the #KFCCrisis – it is not a police matter if your favourite eatery is not serving the menu that you desire. — Tower Hamlets MPS (@MPSTowerHam) February 20, 2018   For those who contacted the Police about KFC being out of chicken … please STOP. Their website says the Prestwich store is now open if you want to follow the four police cars through the drive thru .. — GMP Whitefield (@GMPWhitefield) February 20, 2018