Queensway Group completes the sale of its UK KFC portfolio
In July 2017, Queensway Group's portfolio of KFC stores was sold to the Herbert Group, the UK's largest KFC franchisee.
Queensway Group entered into a franchise agreement with Yum! Restaurants International in 2009. Over the years, the Group has grown their UK portfolio to 19 stores. In the last 18 months, Queensway opened 3 new Drive Thru restaurants in Chester, Kidderminster and Dudley and had plans to further expand the business.
In a change of strategic direction, Yum! Restaurants International, the owners of the KFC brand, decided to sell all their owned stores and development territories globally. Queensway bid to buy 3 bundles of stores in the UK but were unsuccessful. This meant that development territories went to the successful bidders leaving the unsuccessful franchisees with no development opportunity. With no further opportunity to grow the portfolio, Queensway decided to sell and focus on the growth businesses of Hotels, Starbucks, KFC in Austria and Slovakia and Residential.
Naushad Jivraj, CEO of Queensway, said, "I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our Queensway Hospitality Team for their dedication and hard work. Some of the Team have been with us for many years and I would like to thank them for their loyalty and wish them every success with their new owners."
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our Queensway Hospitality Team for their dedication and hard work. Some of the Team have been with us for many years and I would like to thank them for their loyalty and wish them every success with their new owners.— Naushad Jivraj, CEO Queensway Group