QSL, DHL’s partner in the KFC contract, says it is focused on resuming regular operations as soon as possible and deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to KFC customers.
By lunchtime on Thursday (22nd February), almost 700 KFC restaurants were open for business, although some were not serving a full menu. More restaurants have been reopening each day since Monday when 575 of the 900 strong network were closed.
In a statement on the situation, QSL said: “QSL is working closely with our partners DHL and KFC to resolve the supply issues affecting KFC’s mainland UK restaurants.
“We are focused on resuming regular operations as soon as possible and deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to KFC customers.”
QSL (Quick Service Logistics) is based at Friedrichsdorf, north of Frankfurt, and has worked for KFC in Germany since 2010. In the UK contract, DHL Supply Chain manages the physical warehouse and distribution service, while QSL handles demand planning and stock management, with dedicated IT solutions. QSL also manages operational purchasing for KFC as well as accounting for its operations.
Speaking at the signing of the contract in October, managing director Florian Entrich said: “With DHL, we are confident of establishing a new benchmark for quick service restaurants in the UK.”
QSL is focused exclusively on the quick service restaurant sector and operates four warehouses and two cross-docks throughout Germany. The business was founded by Ludwig Meyer in 1949 and since 1960 has focused on temperature controlled logistics. It started working with Burger King in 2007 and in 2010 won contracts to service KFC, Pizza Hut and IKEA.
The company highlights its IT systems as a key differentiator in the market.
“CSB, our IT ERP solution, is completely geared to the quick service restaurant business concept. This enables us to offer unique functions to our customers that regular logistics service providers or ERP support systems do not possess. CSB maps all processes along the supply chain and can be flexibly managed. It simply offers all functions in one solution.”
It also has a sister company, Ludwig Meyer GmbH & Co KG, which operates some 1,200 vehicles across Germany.
