Turkish KFC operator files for bankruptcy, leaving 7,000 jobs at risk
Logo of US fast food restaurant company KFC on a store facade in Paris on January 15, 2025. (AFP Photo)
Is Gida, one of Türkiye’s largest food service companies and former operator of KFC and Pizza Hut franchises in the country, has filed for bankruptcy protection, leaving thousands of employees facing an uncertain future.
The company, which owes approximately 7.7 billion Turkish lira, submitted its concordato (bankruptcy protection) filing along with its affiliated companies, Is Holding AS, Ishway Food Distribution AS, and Peyman Kuruyemis Food AS, according to local media reports.
The crisis began after Yum! Brands terminated its franchise agreements for KFC and Pizza Hut operations with Is Gida. The collapse of these partnerships initiated a downward spiral that ultimately led to the company’s current financial predicament.
15,000 to be affected by Pizza Hut, KFC downfall in Türkiye
The bankruptcy filing’s impact extends beyond the company’s immediate workforce, affecting an estimated 15,000 people when including employees’ families, according to a report by Necla Dalan of Patronlar Dunyasi.
Industry veteran Ahmet Yilmaz has launched an urgent appeal to other companies in the sector to help the affected workers. “We have hundreds, thousands of people who are newly married, who pay rent, who have installment payments, who are putting children through school, who have newborns, who have sick relatives,” Yilmaz said.
The appeal has already garnered some response from the industry. Omer Seyhin, Chairman of Maydonoz Doner and My Fried Chicken has announced his companies will offer employment opportunities to affected workers.
