STRATEGIC PARTNERS
February 15, 2012
KFC has become the latest foodservice company to join the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
The BRC, a trade association, represents retailers responsible for 80 percent of retail spending in the United Kingdom, from department stores to small independents and online businesses.
The BRC provides campaigning and influence for government policies and is also a provider of retail data.
KFC was founded in 1952. The chain's first U.K. outlet opened in Preston in 1965. The company now has 800 restaurants in the U.K. and is based in Woking.
"We've joined the BRC for its excellent links with politicians at every level, with government departments and agencies and for its knowledge of the issues that impact most on our business," said Chris Fells, director of Product Excellence for parent company Yum Restaurants International. "The BRC offers a unique combination of insight and influence in areas including food policy and the future of the high street. We look forward to benefitting from that and adding our weight to the strong single voice the BRC gives the retail sector."
"KFC's membership allows it to gain from our policy and technical knowledge and gives us more clout in fighting for a business environment which helps members of all types and sizes to thrive," added Stephen Robertson, BRC director general.
Burger King, McDonald's, Starbucks and the U.K.'s nine biggest food retailers are also BRC members.
Yum International switches to Coke
In Romania, Yum International's KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants terminated their contract with Pepsi and will begin selling products from Coca Cola HBC. KFC, Pizza Hut and PHD brands, part of the Yum company, join McDonald's and Burger King in serving Coke products, according to the Romania Insider.
Coca Cola's products will be available in the 64 Yum locations across the country beginning this month.
Mark Hilton, general manager of Yum! Brands in Romania, said the decision to serve Coke fits "in a wider process of developing the brands on the Romanian market."
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