News

KFC bows out of Syria due to war, operational hurdles

November 6, 2013

KFC closed its Damascus franchise in October, citing "operational difficulties" driven by the country's ongoing civil war and food shortages. According to the Jewish Press, KFC couldn't purchase a sufficient chicken supply for its menu. The war has affected poultry production, which has been cut in half since 2011.

The Syrian system began importing chicken from Lebanon, but that effort was short-lived amidst violence and high diesel prices.

According to a recent UN-commissioned report, 115,000 people have been killed in Syria and millions of others have been displaced in the past two years.

KFC debuted in Syria in Damascus in 2006.

There are still 450 KFC restaurants in 12 countries across the Middle East, operated by the Americana Group.

Read more about operations management.