KFC branches in Dover, Maidstone and Crayford have permanently closed

Three KFC branches in Kent have permanently closed after their franchisees went into administration.

The fast food chain’s restaurants in Market Square, Dover, at The Mall in Maidstone and on Roman Way, Crayford, are all closed.

It comes after signs appeared at the entrance to the Crayford and Dover sites saying franchisees Caskade Caterers, Caskade 2020, Castlebarn and Grovemaze have gone into administration.

Begbies Traynor and FRP Advisory Trading have been appointed joint administrators.

The sign at the Dover branch states that certain assets have been sold to Supercharger South, Supercharger Central and Supercharger Restaurants, which still operate the majority of the company’s former franchised restaurants.

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But it adds: “This restaurant was not included in the transfer to the buyers and is closed indefinitely.”

This morning a KFC spokesperson said: “We are continually reviewing our portfolio of more than 1,000 restaurants and from time to time we have to close restaurants. A handful of restaurants in Kent have closed recently.

“These restaurants are all within a few minutes’ walk or a short drive of an existing KFC restaurant, meaning customers can still buy our famous fried chicken. Check our website to find the nearest restaurant.”

It is not yet known how many jobs will be lost due to the closures.

A spokesperson for administrators Begbies Traynor added: “We can confirm the successful sale of 40 branches previously operated by a single KFC franchisee to Adil Group.

“Working closely with KFC, Kirstie Provan, Gary Shankland and Robert Ferne of Begbies Traynor, together with Anthony Wright of FRP Advisory, Joint Administrators in respect of Caskade Caterers Limited, Castlebarn Limited, Caskade 2020 Limited and Grovemaze Limited, the sales secured through a pre-extensive administration process, involving more than 900 dedicated employees,” they say.

“The sale to the new owners is a positive outcome for the majority of the branches and employees within the portfolio. Adil Group has been a successful KFC franchisee for over 20 years, currently operates 73 KFC restaurants in the UK and will provide the former Caskade KFC branches with a sound financial foundation for the future.”

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Elsewhere in the UK, KFC outlets in New Milton and Christchurch suddenly closed their doors today after the franchisee was declared bankrupt.

Signs were placed at the entrance to New Milton’s Station Road and Christchurch’s Barrack Road stores saying four businesses, including Caskade Caterers, had gone under.

At the Barrack Road branch, an additional notice said that following the appointment of the administrators, some of the companies’ assets were sold to three companies that “continue to operate the majority” of the affected restaurants.

“This restaurant was not included in the transfer to the buyers and is closed indefinitely,” it added.