AN unprecedented economic slowdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as reduced operating hours brought on by the government-imposed curfew have forced the management of Restaurants Bahamas Limited, operators of KFC Nassau, to lay off 35 team members.
“For almost a year now, the curfews imposed on New Providence have severely impacted sales and revenue. We have made adjustments throughout this pandemic in order keep everyone employed, but unfortunately we now find ourselves in the position where this very difficult move is simply unavoidable,” said Nina Maynard, human resources director of Restaurants Bahamas Limited.
A statement released on Friday noted that the 10pm daily curfew that remains in place for New Providence means the fast-food restaurant loses an entire segment of business.
"The company is unable to continue to provide its over 360 team members with their contractual days and hours that were based on a pre-pandemic operating schedule," the statement added.
"The company has lobbied government in hopes of having the curfew extended until later in the evening now that new COVID-19 cases in New Providence have declined, however those efforts have not been successful."
The layoffs will take place across the company’s nine locations.
Comments
tell_it_like_it_is 3 years, 2 months ago
Sad to hear. The government has no justification for this 10pm curfew. Most stores closes from 7:30 pm because of it. It greatly impacts businesses. Why can't it be 2 hours later at least?
Hoda 3 years, 2 months ago
You really think 2 hours of potential sales at a fast food restaurant was the thin line between firing and retaining persons? I am seriously asking, seems a little questionable to me. Why not open an hour earlier - I honestly believe ppl would buy Kentucky 10 or 11 in the morning, why try and boost online orders.
GodSpeed 3 years, 2 months ago
Maybe you should open your own KFC since you have it all figured out.
Hoda 3 years, 2 months ago
Sigh, typical Bahamian man. When did I suggest that? You and your ilk only understand abuse and ignorance. So here we go, If you were capable of reading to comprehend you would grasp that I asked a question. It is ok, I understand that you are only capable of engaging in discourse with persons who agree with whatever opinion you hold.
GodSpeed 3 years, 2 months ago
Relax...
ThisIsOurs 3 years, 2 months ago
don't know about KFC but it's said the restaurant business as a whole operates on thin margins. I can see 10-12 Thr-Sat nights being a busy time. If they serve 1 customer per minute thats 60 * $10 * 2 *4=4800 * 4=19200 per month lost. -1 customer per minute inside and drive through...its possible -$10 - avg price customer spends -2 hours per day (increase because employees have to be home by 10, it's probably more like a loss of 4 hours) -4 days a week -4 weeks per month
That's just one store. I have no idea how accurate that is but food is big business and Kentucky don't lack for customers so I wouldn't be surprised if it's low.
That's a salary for 19 people that now has to come out of what used to be profit. and might be reserves under COVID
Hoda 3 years, 2 months ago
True, pre covid I thought kfc closed at 11. I would imagine They stopped taking orders after a certain period anyway. So I’m wondering how much sales they lost in this time span - or is it less ppl buying kfc for economic or health reasons? would opening an hour early mitigate? Are other fast food chains feeling the same pinch? For example does it have anything to do with competition, are more ppl buying bamboo shack and Popeyes. Is the competition feeling the same need to downsize?
tribanon 3 years, 2 months ago
Minnis is no doubt saying to himself that these KFC layoffs are really a good thing because too many of his lowly plebes are already grossly overweight from eating too much greasy fast food.
proudloudandfnm 3 years, 2 months ago
They're allowed to operate during peak lunch and dinner hours. Can't see how losing an hour or two during their normally slow period can have such a negative impact on their profits. Something fishy here.
ohdrap4 3 years, 2 months ago
Apparently the switch staff every so many years. Happened before.
GodSpeed 3 years, 2 months ago
Well you don't run the business so how would you know what they make and when and how?
proudloudandfnm 3 years, 2 months ago
You aint exactly the sharpest tool in the shed huh?
GodSpeed 3 years, 2 months ago
At least closing the economy was worth it right 🤔...the big bad virus with 99.9%+ survival rate had to be stopped at all costs. More joblessness to come.
sheeprunner12 3 years, 2 months ago
You have a valid point ........ KFC might not present a problem for community spread after 10pm ....... but other places surely will ...... But look at WHO owns KFC and then try figure out where this "layoff excuse" is coming from
DreamerX 3 years, 2 months ago
This screams as a smoke screen for KFC to conduct mass firings to hire newly employed lower paid, no entitlement staff and blame the government at the same time. I think if a company can get newspaper coverage to blame something like this, they should at least show some statistical data of the decline, otherwise it's a newspaper allowing political mischief without any evidence of truth.
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