Parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell has closed 7,000 restaurants so far

Fast food restaurant operations worldwide have been hugely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. INQUIRER.net stock photo

Yum! Brands, which owns KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, has shuttered 7,000 restaurants systemwide and modified their operations in response to the global health pandemic that has brought much of the world to a standstill.

Overall, the company runs 50,000 restaurants in 150 countries. The closure of 7,000 restaurants includes 1,000 Pizza Hut Express stores and represents 14 percent of global units, reports industry publication QSR Magazine.

Restaurants that continue operations have also shifted to “low-contact” options via delivery, drive-thru or curbside pick-up to comply with social distancing orders.

Pizza Hut restaurants in 48 countries are now offering contactless delivery, where customers can request that their orders be left at the door upon delivery through the mobile app, or via the website.

In the United States, KFC and Taco Bell are also offering contactless delivery services through Grubhub.

Earlier this week, McDonald’s closed all their restaurants across the United Kingdom and Ireland. In the U.S., restaurants have closed their eat-in spaces but continue to operate their drive-thru, walk-in, take-out and McDelivery services where available. JB

RELATED STORIES:

Fast food chain stops use of ‘finger lickin’ good’ tagline during COVID-19 pandemic

Airlines worldwide cutting flights in response to COVID-19

LIST: COVID-19 donation drives and how to donate