The short version
- Metro Puerto Rico and Telemundo Puerto Rico reported that KFC broke ties with Encanto Restaurants citing failure to meet quality standards
- KFC stated on social media and to Telemundo Puerto Rico that it is seeking a new franchise partner to reopen its restaurants in Puerto Rico
- KFC told Telemundo Puerto Rico it hopes to serve customers again soon but gave no timeline for a new franchisee or reopenings
- NotiCel reported that Taco Bell restaurants are also closing as Encanto ceases operations of both brands
Updates
Update, Nov 2, 12:29 PM AST
Telemundo Puerto Rico added a direct quote from KFC and confirmed the lack of a reopening timeline.
Telemundo Puerto Rico reported that KFC announced the closures on Monday, Nov. 2, after ending its relationship with Encanto Restaurants because the local operator could not meet quality standards. Telemundo Puerto Rico reported
The chain expressed regret and thanked customers for their loyalty over decades. KFC stated it is working to find a new franchise partner to reopen the restaurants, adding in Spanish: “Esperamos poder volver a servirles muy pronto”.
Telemundo Puerto Rico noted that the company provided no date for naming a new franchisee or for reopening the locations.
Immediate closures
KFC announced on Monday, Nov. 2, that all its restaurants in Puerto Rico are closing after the company ended its relationship with local operator Encanto Restaurants. Metro Puerto Rico reported the decision was made because Encanto could not continue operating in a way that meets KFC’s quality standards. The statement was published on the chain’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
KFC said it is working to find a new franchisee that will allow the restaurants to reopen and serve customers again. The company thanked Puerto Rico customers for their loyalty over decades but did not provide a specific timeline for the closures or future reopenings. WAPA reported that the KFC website already shows Puerto Rico locations as closed and online ordering unavailable.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Desafortunadamente, Encanto no puede seguir operando de una manera que responde a nuestros estándares de calidad
Our translation: Unfortunately, Encanto cannot continue operating in a way that meets our quality standards
The source's own statement, as quoted by Metro Puerto Rico. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Taco Bell also affected
El Nuevo Día reported that Yum! Brands, parent company of both KFC and Taco Bell, ended its relationship with Encanto Restaurants, which operated both brands on the island. NotiCel reported that Encanto announced it is ceasing operations of both chains.
NotiUno reported the closures are temporary while Yum! Brands identifies a new operator. No information has been released on the number of employees affected or what will happen to staff. Primera Hora reported that the situation could leave hundreds of workers without jobs.
Where the sources differ
All sources, including the new Telemundo Puerto Rico report, agree that KFC ended its franchise relationship with Encanto Restaurants on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, over quality-standard issues and that the chain is seeking a new partner to reopen. Metro Puerto Rico, NotiCel, WAPA, Primera Hora, NotiUno and Telemundo Puerto Rico attribute the decision directly to KFC or Yum! Brands. El Nuevo Día, NotiCel and Telemundo Puerto Rico also report that Taco Bell locations operated by Encanto are closing. Primera Hora gives a specific figure of 83 KFC restaurants as of December 2024; other outlets do not state the exact number. WAPA mentions pending lawsuits against Encanto over rent debts, which the other sources do not report. Telemundo Puerto Rico is the only outlet to publish the exact Spanish quote “Esperamos poder volver a servirles muy pronto”.
What the reports do not say
The reports, including the new Telemundo account, do not say how many KFC or Taco Bell locations will close, when each will shut down, how many employees will be affected, or when a new franchisee might be named and operations could resume. No timeline for the search for a new operator is provided, nor is there information on the status of Encanto’s other brands such as Pizza Hut and IHOP.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published and last updated. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting KFC anuncia cierre de sus restaurantes en Puerto Rico
- Reporting KFC and Taco Bell restaurants close in Puerto Rico
- Reporting KFC y Taco Bell cierran sus restaurantes en Puerto Rico
- Reporting KFC anuncia el cierre de sus restaurantes en Puerto Rico
- Reporting KFC cierra todos sus restaurantes en Puerto Rico
- Reporting Cierran los "fast food" KFC y Taco Bell en la Isla
- Reporting KFC anuncia cierre de sus restaurantes en Puerto Rico
How we checked this
Metro Puerto Rico, El Nuevo Día, NotiCel, WAPA, Primera Hora, NotiUno and Telemundo Puerto Rico all reported the KFC and Taco Bell closures on Nov. 2. The direct KFC quote and explicit confirmation of no timeline rest solely on the Telemundo Puerto Rico report; earlier details on employee impact, the 83-location figure and pending lawsuits remain on single sources.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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