Shropshire KFCs closed due to chicken shortage

Fast-food chain KFC has seen scores of restaurants closed after running out of chicken, amid national delivery problems.

The issues mean things are not so 'finger-licking good' for disappointed customers in Shropshire.

Oswestry's outlet, closed since Sunday, hopes to open again tomorrow if its delivery of fresh supplies arrives.

The three Telford restaurants - at Wrekin Retail Park, Madeley and Trench Lock - have also closed.

Both restaurants in Shrewsbury were open on Monday but staff in the town centre takeaway said it may have to close if an expected delivery did not arrive.

Fast food fans were left complaining on social media when reports began to emerge that people were unable to buy the fried chicken over the weekend.

A sign pinned to the door of the KFC next to Oswestry's Mile End Roundabout offered an apology to disappointed customers.

The store said it had taken the decision to close rather than offer a reduced menu.

Ryan Earl from the town said: "The notice pinned on the door said that it had not had deliveries and did not want to offer half a menu."

Last week, KFC switched its delivery contract to DHL, which blamed "operational issues" for the supply disruption.

KFC has about 900 UK restaurants, with more than 80 per cent run by franchisees.

Closures have been reported in areas including London and the South East, the Midlands, East Anglia, the North East and Wales.

On Twitter KFC tried to make light of the situation by posting a twist on a classic joke, saying: "Some chickens have now cross the road, the rest are waiting at the pelican crossing."

The distribution network, DHL, said it was doing what it could to restock the restaurants as soon as it could.

In a statement it said: "Due to operational issues, a number of deliveries in recent days have been incomplete or delayed.

"We are working with our partners to rectify the situation as a priority and apologise for any inconvenience."