The US chain’s owner, QSR brands, said in a statement that the decision was a response to “challenging economic conditions” and that affected employees had been offered the opportunity to relocate to busier stores.
According to several media reports, there have also been closures of several McDonalds and Starbucks outlets in Malaysia.
These popular chains have been experiencing a slowdown in business as a result of boycotts against US-linked companies linked to the country’s stance in the Israel-Hamas war.
“KFC is not on the (Palestinian-led movement) BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) list of targeted companies. But many Malaysians see any American fast-food operator to be related to Israel including KFC,” said Professor Mohd Nazari Ismail, chairman of pro-Palestinian group Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions Malaysia, quoted in regional media.
This is quite an interesting outcome: