Got a craving for Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) or a Pizza Hut pizza? You’re out of luck as both restaurant chains no longer have a local presence and Friendship Hotel & Restaurant Holdings Limited, which held the franchises, has already rebranded all of the outlets.
What were once KFC and Pizza Hut outlets have once again opened their doors, this time operating under the names Chicka D and Pizza D, respectively.
When Stabroek News visited the restaurants yesterday, they presented a look similar to what was there before except that the original signs had been painted over. At Chicka D locations, the signature KFC colours had been changed slightly. In the case of Pizza Hut, just the word ‘Hut’ had been removed.
The Stabroek Chicka D restaurant had a few customers dining, while the Mandela Avenue and
Bagotstown restaurants were well staffed but with no customers.
At Vlissengen Road, there were quite a few customers, who seemed to be enjoying the appetizers at the new Pizza D.
No information as regards the services being offered was available for customers, but when asked, a cashier informed Stabroek News that brochures will be available soon.
Staff members refused to offer a comment on the rebranding. Numerous attempts made to contact Deonarine Singh, who previously held the franchises, proved futile.
However, in August of last year the KFC outlet near Stabroek square and the KFC and Pizza Hut outlets on Vlissengen Road were forced to close for “maintenance” after regional representatives of Yum! Brands, the company that is responsible for both KFC and Pizza Hut brands, had visited and were shocked at poor hygiene practices.
Later last year, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) had also announced that it had instituted wind-up proceedings against Friendship Hotel & Restaurant Holdings Limited over large outstanding taxes.
Friendship Hotel & Restaurant Holdings Limited is a sister company of DIDCO Trading Company Limited, which on its website said Singh, with his vision, was able to secure the KFC franchise. The first KFC outlet opened its doors in Guyana on April 26, 1994 at the busy downtown location at Stabroek. The other outlets and the Pizza Hut had followed soon after.
