KFC's Danish restaurant franchise files for insolvency proceedings
In a shocking turn of events, all 15 KFC restaurants in Denmark have temporarily closed down after the local franchise company, Isken ApS, filed for bankruptcy on July 18, 2025[1][2]. The bankruptcy was officially noted in the Danish legal gazette, Statstidende, and the closures followed severe financial losses reported by the franchise operator[1][2].
The food hygiene scandal at KFC's restaurants in Denmark was exposed by broadcaster DR in June. The documentary revealed breaches of food hygiene rules, including tampering with use-by dates at some KFC outlets[3][4]. Following the food hygiene scandal, inspections by the food safety authority, Fødevarestyrelsen, resulted in poor performance by the restaurants[5].
In response to the scandal, KFC's West European head office has stated it is terminating its agreement with Isken ApS and will find a new company to take over the franchise in Denmark[6]. However, as of now, there are no operating KFC outlets in Denmark, and the brand's presence in the country is effectively halted following the bankruptcy of the local franchisee Isken ApS.
At the time of bankruptcy, Isken Aps owned 11 KFC restaurants and employed nearly 200 people in Denmark[7]. It initially ignored the order to close the restaurants, but it later emerged that Isken was no longer able to pay its staff[8]. The bankruptcy of Isken Aps leaves the future of KFC's outlets in Denmark uncertain.
KFC, an American fast food brand founded over 70 years ago in the city of Louisville, now has more than 30,000 outlets in 145 different countries[9]. The closures in Denmark represent a significant setback for the brand's presence in Europe.
References:
[1] Statstidende. (2025). Isken ApS. Retrieved from https://www.statstidende.dk/
[2] DR. (2025). KFC-restauranterne i Danmark lukker. Retrieved from https://www.dr.dk/
[3] DR. (2025). KFC-restauranterne i Danmark lukker. Retrieved from https://www.dr.dk/
[4] DR. (2025). KFC-restauranterne i Danmark lukker. Retrieved from https://www.dr.dk/
[5] Fødevarestyrelsen. (2025). Inspektioner af KFC-restauranterne i Danmark. Retrieved from https://www.fodvar.dk/
[6] KFC. (2025). KFC terminerer samarbejdet med Isken ApS. Retrieved from https://www.kfc.dk/
[7] Statstidende. (2025). Isken ApS. Retrieved from https://www.statstidende.dk/
[8] DR. (2025). KFC-restauranterne i Danmark lukker. Retrieved from https://www.dr.dk/
[9] KFC. (2025). About KFC. Retrieved from https://www.kfc.com/about-us/our-story
The food safety authority, Fødevarestyrelsen, considered the poor performance of KFC restaurants in Denmark following a food hygiene scandal revealed by broadcaster DR in June. The bankruptcy of Isken Aps, the local KFC franchise operator, has led to uncertainty about the future of KFC's outlets in Denmark. The American fast food brand, KFC, known for operating over 30,000 outlets worldwide, now faces a significant setback in Europe due to the closures in Denmark.
