KFC Closes Over 100 Outlets in Malaysia Amid Israel Boycott
In October 2020, many KFC outlets in Malaysia were closed due to a consumer boycott.
The boycott was in response to Israel's attacks on Gaza, which have killed nearly 35,000 people, mostly women and children.
KFC and other Western companies with links to Israel have seen decreasing revenues as part of the boycott movement.
KFC operator QSR Brands Holdings closed over 100 outlets, citing "challenging economic conditions" as the reason.
However, local media suggest that the closures are due to the boycott.
QSR Brands, the company operating KFC in Malaysia, announced the closure of some outlets without specifying the number or reason.
Affected employees were offered jobs at busier stores.
International brands like Starbucks and McDonald's have also reported significant revenue losses due to the ongoing anti-Israel boycott in Malaysia, even if they were not initial targets.
The boycott, led by the local chapter of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement, has caused significant financial damage to various companies.
A group called BDS Malaysia (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) announced the closure of McDonald's, Burger King, Puma, Airbnb, and Pizza Hut outlets in Malaysia due to their ties with Israel.
KFC was not explicitly mentioned on their boycott list but might be targeted due to its US origins.
Some Malaysians, expressing their support on social media, thanked God for the closures and criticized KFC's parent company, Yum Brands, for its US origins and perceived connection to Israel.
BDS Malaysia focuses on targeting a limited number of companies to maximize the impact of their efforts.
A user on X.com named meraungkesepian reported that Yum Brands, KFC's parent company, invests in Israeli startups.
Some Malaysians have boycotted KFC due to its perceived decline in quality, with user tonnychua9988 stating, "Many have boycotted KFC not 100 percent because of Israel.
But because KFC doesn't have any quality." Syaza Farhana Mohamad Shukri, an associate professor of political science at the International Islamic University Malaysia, expected the boycott due to the strong Muslim sentiment against American-based companies in Malaysia, which has a population of over 33 million, mostly Muslims, and has long supported the Palestinian struggle.
Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and denies entry to Israeli citizens.
In December 2022, the country also prevented Israeli and Israel-bound ships from docking at its ports.
KFC and other Western companies with links to Israel have seen decreasing revenues as part of the boycott movement.
KFC operator QSR Brands Holdings closed over 100 outlets, citing "challenging economic conditions" as the reason.
However, local media suggest that the closures are due to the boycott.
QSR Brands, the company operating KFC in Malaysia, announced the closure of some outlets without specifying the number or reason.
Affected employees were offered jobs at busier stores.
International brands like Starbucks and McDonald's have also reported significant revenue losses due to the ongoing anti-Israel boycott in Malaysia, even if they were not initial targets.
The boycott, led by the local chapter of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement, has caused significant financial damage to various companies.
A group called BDS Malaysia (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) announced the closure of McDonald's, Burger King, Puma, Airbnb, and Pizza Hut outlets in Malaysia due to their ties with Israel.
KFC was not explicitly mentioned on their boycott list but might be targeted due to its US origins.
Some Malaysians, expressing their support on social media, thanked God for the closures and criticized KFC's parent company, Yum Brands, for its US origins and perceived connection to Israel.
BDS Malaysia focuses on targeting a limited number of companies to maximize the impact of their efforts.
A user on X.com named meraungkesepian reported that Yum Brands, KFC's parent company, invests in Israeli startups.
Some Malaysians have boycotted KFC due to its perceived decline in quality, with user tonnychua9988 stating, "Many have boycotted KFC not 100 percent because of Israel.
But because KFC doesn't have any quality." Syaza Farhana Mohamad Shukri, an associate professor of political science at the International Islamic University Malaysia, expected the boycott due to the strong Muslim sentiment against American-based companies in Malaysia, which has a population of over 33 million, mostly Muslims, and has long supported the Palestinian struggle.
Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and denies entry to Israeli citizens.
In December 2022, the country also prevented Israeli and Israel-bound ships from docking at its ports.
Translation:
Translated by AI
