KFC renews contract with Bidvest Logistics following supply cock up

08-Mar-2018 - Last updated on 27-Apr-2021 at 12:00 GMT

KFC has made a dramatic U-turn in the wake of its unprecedented supply problems, renewing its contract with Bidvest Logistics.

The poultry giant ran out of chicken and latterly gravy after switching its logistic partner to DHL in a bid to save money, creating a media storm.

Dubbed #KFCcrisis on social media, logistics headaches saw hundreds of the chain's restaurants close for up to a week. KFC also had to waste large amounts of fresh chicken.

Other chicken brands including Wing Wing posted tongue-in-cheek stories on Instagram, reminding customers that “KFC might not have chicken, but we do”. One restaurant brand PR tweeted “the whole thing has been good for KFC and good for us lesser mortals such as Chick’n’Sours. Tons of press coverage this week, we couldn’t have paid for it!”.

Bidvest Logistics has signed a long-term agreement with KFC UK & Ireland to provide renewed supply to up to 350 of their restaurants in the north of the UK from 26 March.

“Our focus remains on ensuring our customers can enjoy our chicken without further disruption," says a KFC spokesperson. "With that in mind, the decision has been taken in conjunction with QSL and DHL to revert the distribution contract for up to 350 of our restaurants in the north of the UK back to Bidvest Logistics. We’ve been working hard to resolve the present situation with QSL and DHL. This decision will ease pressure at DHL’s Rugby depot, to help get our restaurants back to normal as quickly as possible."

“We are delighted to welcome KFC back to Bidvest Logistics," says Bidvest Logistics' Paul Whyte. "As the UK’s leading foodservice logistics specialist, we understand the complexities of delivering fresh chicken. KFC are a valued customer and we will provide them with a seamless return to our network.”

As of yesterday evening, 97% of KFC's 900 restaurants are open for business, although some are serving limited menus.