Major fast food chain with more than 1,000 restaurants announces sudden closure of three branches as fans ‘mourn’ loss

A MAJOR fast food chain with more than 1,000 restaurants has announced the sudden closure of three branches as fans ‘mourn’ the loss.

KFC outlets in Market Square, Dover, The Mall in Maidstone and Roman Way, Crayford, are now closed.

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Signs have appeared at the entrance to the Crayford and Dover sites indicating that franchisees Caskade Caterers, Caskade 2020, Castlebarn and Grovemaze have gone into administration.

Begbies Traynor and FRP Advisory Trading have been appointed joint administrators of franchise operators Caskade 2020 and Castlebarn and Grovemaze. KFC did not go into administration.

A spokesperson for Begbies Traynor said: “We can confirm the successful sale of 40 branches previously operated by a single KFC franchisee to the Adil Group.

“Working closely with KFC, Kirstie Provan, Gary Shankland and Robert Ferne of Begbies Traynor and Anthony Wright of FRP Advisory, the joint administrators of Caskade Caterers Limited, Castlebarn Limited, Caskade 2020 Limited and Grovemaze Limited, have secured the sale through a pre-packaged administration process, retaining over 900 dedicated staff.

“The sale to the new owners is a positive outcome for the majority of branches and employees in the portfolio.

“Adil Group has been a successful KFC franchisee for over 20 years, currently operating 73 KFC restaurants across the UK and will provide the former Caskade KFC branches with a strong financial foundation for the future.”

A KFC spokesperson told Kent Online: “We constantly review our portfolio of over 1,000 restaurants and from time to time we have to close restaurants.

“A handful of restaurants in Kent have recently been closed.

“These restaurants are all located within walking or driving distance of an existing KFC restaurant, meaning customers will still be able to purchase our famous fried chicken.

“Please check our website to find your nearest restaurant.”

KFC outlets in New Milton and Christchurch have suddenly closed after the franchisee was placed into administration.

Signs were put up at the entrance to outlets on New Milton’s Station Road and Christchurch’s Barrack Road saying four businesses, including Caskade Caterers, had gone bust.

At the Barrack Road outlet, a further notice stated that upon the appointment of administrators, part of the companies’ assets had been sold to three companies which “continue to operate the majority” of the affected restaurants.

“This restaurant was not included in the transfer to the buyers and is closed indefinitely,” we add.