Fast food chain with 1,000 branches announces exact date in days it will shut location

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

Fried chicken fans, brace yourselves – KFC has announced the closure of one of its Suffolk branches.

The Felixstowe KFC will be shutting up shop in just a weeks time on August 18th but don’t worry, this isn’t part of a mass shutdown – it’s just a one-off.

The branch, situated on Hamilton Road, only opened its doors in December 2022, but it’s now set to shut up shop.

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

“On August 18th, we’ll sadly be closing the doors at our Felixstowe KFC, but fear not, we’ll be relocating in the local area soon.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom for chicken loving locals.

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

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

While it’s sad news for Felixstowe locals, 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 sites 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 seems the Colonel’s secret recipe isn’t going anywhere, with the promise of a new location in the area soon.

So, mark your calendars and get your final Felixstowe KFC fix before August 18th – because this chicken joint is officially counting down its final days.

WHY ARE PLACES CLOSING?

The closure reflects a broader pattern affecting the fast-food industry.

Chains across the UK are grappling with severe challenges.

The Covid pandemic wreaked havoc on businesses, and the aftermath has brought rising inflation, soaring operating costs, and a cost-of-living crisis that’s dampened consumer spending.

These factors have led to some big names scaling back or shutting down altogether.

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

Papa Johns is slicing away 43 of its stores, and Tasty, which owns Wildwood, is closing 20 loss-making restaurants as part of a major shake-up.

Even established brands like Byron Burger have fallen by the wayside, entering administration last year and resulting in over 200 job losses.

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

Wendy’s is set to beef up its UK presence with eight new openings this year.

Wingstop plans to add 15 more locations by 2024, and Popeyes is on a major expansion spree, nearly doubling its size with 30 new branches.

So while Felixstowe says farewell to its KFC, fried chicken fans can look forward to future expansions and nearby options.

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