FOUR KFC restaurants have closed in Bournemouth, Christchurch, and New Milton after its franchisee holder entered administration.

KFC restaurants in Station Road, New Milton, Barrack Road in Christchurch, Westover Road in Bournemouth, and Boscombe abruptly closed on June 26 after franchisee holder Caskade entered administration. 

Among 53 KFC outlets owned by Caskade, administrator Begbies Traynor said 40 of these restaurants have been bought by franchisee Adil Group, however, none of the above have been saved and look unlikely to reopen. 

 A spokesperson for KFC UK & Ireland said: “We’re constantly reviewing our portfolio of over 1,000 restaurants and from time-to-time we have to close restaurants.

"A handful of restaurants across Dorset and Hampshire have recently been closed.

"These restaurants are all located within a few minutes’ walk or short drive away from an existing KFC restaurant, meaning customers will still be able to purchase our famous fried chicken."

The news has come as a shock to many fans of KFC with the New Milton branch recently in the Echo after three trees were cut down in front of its store angering locals. 

The closure of the two branches in Bournemouth makes it the third in a year after a branch at Royal London House, Lansdowne, closed in July 2023. 

A notice from Begbies Traynor on the door of the Westover Road branch said: "Immediately on the administrators' appointment certain of the companies business and assets were sold to Supercharger South Limited, Supercharger Central Limited and Supercharger Restaurants Limited who continue to operate the majority of the companies' former franchised restaurants.

"This restaurant was not included in the transfer to the purchasers and is closed indefinitely."

The loss of the restaurants means that tens of jobs have been lost in the area. 

The Triangle KFC remains open alongside the recently reopened Ferndown branch which had closed in September 2023. 

Ferndown's Ringwood Road KFC reopened its doors on June 18 under K&Z Management who said they were 'thrilled to be bringing new jobs and business to the area'.

While many have been left upset, some residents have been made happy by the news, further removing chains from the high street. 

The Echo has contacted Begbies Traynor for further comment.