KFC and Taco Bell restaurants close across Puerto Rico as they seek new franchise partner

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — All KFC and Taco Bell restaurants in Puerto Rico have temporarily closed after parent company Yum! Brands ended its relationship with an island-based operator, officials said Monday.

Kentucky-based Yum! Brands said it made the “difficult decision to end its relationship” with Encanto Restaurants because that company “can no longer operate in a way that meets our standards.”

“We remain deeply committed to Puerto Rico and are working as quickly as possible to welcome customers back to our restaurants,” Yum! Brands said in a statement shared with The Associated Press.

KFC Puerto Rico and Taco Bell Puerto Rico posted brief statements saying they are working to find a new franchise partner.

“We hope to be able to serve you again very soon,” KFC Puerto Rico wrote on Instagram.

Encanto Restaurants did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Puerto Rico’s first KFC restaurant opened in 1967, while Encanto Restaurants began operating Taco Bell in 1985, according to the company.

Encanto Restaurants also operates Pizza Hut and IHOP restaurants in the U.S. territory. Overall, it operates 180 restaurants on the island and employs more than 3,000 people.