Fast food chain with 1,000 branches announces exact date of closure

A major fast food giant with 1,000 branches has officially announced the closure of one of its most popular stores.

Fried chicken fans, get ready: KFC has announced the closure of one of its Suffolk branches.

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Felixstowe’s KFC will be closing in a few weeks’ time on August 18, but don’t worry, this isn’t a mass closure – it’s just a one-off event.

The branch, located on Hamilton Road, only opened in December 2022 but is now set to close.

A KFC spokesperson said: “It’s been a great ride, but all good things must come to an end.

“On 18th August we will sadly be closing the doors of our KFC in Felixstowe, but fear not, we will be moving to the area soon.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom for local chicken lovers.

They have announced alternate site options for fans to get their fried chicken fix.

They added: “In the meantime, fans can head to our neighbouring Ipswich restaurant – Martlesham – and our other sites in the area for their fried chicken fix.”

While it’s sad news for Felixstowe residents, KFC has reassured its loyal customers that they won’t have to go far to get their hands on the Colonel’s famous fried chicken.

The nearby Martlesham branch in Ipswich will be ready and waiting to satisfy your cravings, along with other locations in Sudbury, Haverhill, Mildenhall, Lowestoft and Bury St Edmunds.

The Felixstowe closure comes after KFC’s ambitious nationwide expansion, with the chain targeting key locations across Suffolk.

Despite the setback, it appears the Colonel’s secret recipe isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, with the promise of a new location in the area coming soon.

So mark your diary and place your last KFC order in Felixstowe before August 18th, as this chicken restaurant is officially counting down its final days.

WHY ARE PLACES CLOSING?

The closure is part of a broader trend affecting the fast food industry.

Distribution chains across the UK are facing serious challenges.

The Covid pandemic has wreaked havoc on businesses and its aftermath has led to rising inflation, soaring operating costs and a cost of living crisis that has dampened consumer spending.

These factors have led some big names to scale back their operations or even close down completely.

Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s are among the outlets closing, while Whitbread, owner of Beefeater and Brewers Fayre, is closing 200 of its 840 UK sites.

Papa Johns is closing 43 of its stores and Wildwood owner Tasty is closing 20 loss-making restaurants as part of a major restructuring.

Even established brands like Byron Burger have been left behind, being placed into administration last year, leading to the loss of more than 200 jobs.

But not all is doom and gloom in the world of fast food.

Wendy’s is set to strengthen its presence in the UK with eight new openings this year.

Wingstop plans to add 15 more locations by 2024, and Popeyes is expanding, nearly doubling its size with 30 new locations.

As Felixstowe bids farewell to its KFC, fried chicken fans can look forward to future expansions and options nearby.

The closure is a reminder of the difficult times many businesses are facing, but it is also a sign that the industry is evolving and adapting to new challenges.