Major fast food chain with over 100 sites abruptly closes two restaurants forever after owner falls into administration

A MAJOR fast food giant with more than 100 sites has abruptly closed two restaurants after its owner fell into administration.

Locals are facing major disappointment as the popular US chain closes two of it’s branches in Dartford and Tunbridge Wells.

The popular Mexican fast-food giant Taco Bell has permanently closed two branches in Dartford and Tunbridge Wells following the collapse of the franchise firm that operated them.

Franchise Fiasco

The closures come as part of a dramatic fallout after the T Bello Group, under the umbrella of the Caskade Group, plunged into administration last month.

The group, which managed a substantial portfolio of Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut franchises, has seen its empire crumble.

Out of the 51 Taco Bell branches it ran, 46 have been salvaged by the family-owned Karali Group, but sadly, the Tunbridge Wells and Dartford locations didn’t make the cut.

The Dartford branch, which had only been serving its delicious tacos since January last year, is among the casualties.

Notices in the windows of these branches inform customers of the closures, with a grim message: “This restaurant was not included in the transfer to the purchasers and is closed indefinitely.”

This isn’t the first time Taco Bell fans have been left high and dry.

Grantham, Lincolnshire also lost its Taco Bell recently, with signs stripped and windows boarded up. This site, which once buzzed with talk of adding a drive-thru, now stands silent.

Social media lit up with locals lamenting the loss, with one asking friends, “Where are you both going to go now?.”

Others expressed their dismay through sad-face emojis.

The ripple effect of the Caskade Group’s collapse extends beyond Taco Bell.

The group’s KFC portfolio also saw major upheavals, with 40 franchises snapped up by Adil Group and 13 others, including branches in Dover, Crayford, and Maidstone, shut down.

A Taco Bell spokesperson remained optimistic, he said: “We are proud to share our newest partner, Karali Group, has announced plans to acquire previously owned franchised restaurants.

“We share Karali Group’s excitement to continue creating excellent guest experiences along with the craveable food Taco Bell fans know and love across the UK.”

Why are fast food chains closing down branches?

The closures at Taco Bell are part of a broader trend hitting the fast-food industry.

The Covid pandemic dealt a heavy blow to many establishments, and the subsequent rise in inflation, operating costs, and the cost of living crisis has only worsened the situation.

Big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s have closed branches.

Beefeater and Brewers Fayre owner Whitbread, which has 840 sites across the UK, said it will close 200 of the family favourite restaurants.

Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.

Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.

The brand plans to close 20 loss-making restaurants after a “challenging” start to the year.

Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.

But it’s not all doom and gloom in the fast-food world.

Some brands are bucking the trend and expanding.

US burger chain Wendy’s, which already has 23 sites in the UK, will cut the ribbon on eight new locations this year.

Wingstop, which currently runs 39 sites across the UK, is set to open a further 15 in 2024.

Chicken chain Popeyes revealed rapid expansion plans to almost double in size this year with 30 more branches.

Domino’s, which currently runs 1,300 UK and Republic of Ireland sites, has set its sights on running 2,000 stores by 2033.

Lounge is adding seven new locations to its portfolio of more than 200 restaurants around the UK .