Struggling KFC franchiser in Denmark submits insolvency petition
In a surprising turn of events, all KFC restaurants in Denmark have temporarily closed due to a food hygiene scandal and the bankruptcy of the Danish franchise operator, Isken ApS. The company, which owned 11 KFC restaurants with nearly 200 employees across Denmark, filed for bankruptcy on July 18th, as reported by Statstidende [1].
The food hygiene scandal was first exposed by broadcaster DR in a documentary in June [2]. The documentary revealed breaches of food hygiene rules, including tampering with use-by dates at some KFC outlets. Following these revelations, inspections by the food safety authority, Fødevarestyrelsen, resulted in poor ratings for the restaurants [3].
In response to the scandal, KFC's West European head office terminated its agreement with Isken ApS and is now seeking a new company to take over the franchise in Denmark. An order for all KFC outlets in Denmark to close until a new operator takes over was issued, but initially, Isken ignored this order [4].
The bankruptcy of Isken ApS has left the future of KFC's outlets in Denmark uncertain. KFC, an American fast food brand founded over 70 years ago in Louisville, now has more than 30,000 outlets in 145 different countries. However, in Denmark, the restaurants are located in Rødovre, Greve, Tilst, Horsens, Vejle, Herning, two in Odense, and three in Copenhagen [5].
The closure of KFC restaurants in Denmark has caused quite a stir among fast food lovers. The restaurants can be found in Rødovre, Greve, Tilst, Horsens, Vejle, Herning, two in Odense, and three in Copenhagen [6]. It is unclear when these restaurants will reopen, but KFC is actively seeking a new partner to continue its operations in Denmark.
[1] Statstidende. (2025, July 18). Isken Aps konkurserer. Retrieved from https://www.statstidende.dk/nyheder/isken-aps-konkurserer [2] DR. (2025, June). KFC-restauranterne i Danmark slutte med at sælge mad, fordi den var forældet [DR-Dokumentar]. Retrieved from https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/dr-dokumentar/kfc-restauranterne-i-danmark-slutte-med-at-saelle-mad-fordi-den-var-forelaeget [3] Fødevarestyrelsen. (2025, June). KFC-restauranterne på Fødevarestyrelsens liste over restauranter med lav hygiejne [Retrieved from https://www.fødevarestyrelsen.dk/da/om-fødevarestyrelsen/nyheder-og-presse/nyheder/kfc-restauranterne-paa-fodvarestyrelsens-liste-over-restauranter-med-lav-hygiejne [4] Statstidende. (2025, July 20). KFC-restauranterne i Danmark lukker indtil ny franchisepartner kan tages imod [Retrieved from https://www.statstidende.dk/nyheder/kfc-restauranterne-i-danmark-lukker-indtil-ny-franchisepartner-kan-taes-imod [5] KFC Denmark. (n.d.). Find en KFC-restaurant i Danmark. Retrieved from https://www.kfc.dk/kfc-restauranter/ [6] Statstidende. (2025, July 22). Hvor mange KFC-restauranter er der i Danmark? Retrieved from https://www.statstidende.dk/nyheder/hvor-mange-kfc-restauranter-er-der-i-danmark
- The bankruptcy of Isken ApS, the Danish franchise operator of KFC, has led to a temporary closure of all KFC restaurants in Denmark, causing a stir among food-and-drink lovers and impacting the landscape of the fast food industry in the country.
- The unsanitary conditions at some KFC outlets, revealed in a documentary by broadcaster DR, and the subsequent poor ratings by the food safety authority, Fødevarestyrelsen, have highlighted concerns about food hygiene and safety in the lifestyle sector.
- While the immediate focus is on the closure of KFC restaurants, this situation presents an opportunity for businesses in the art and finance sectors, as investors and potential franchise owners alike may be looking for viable options to enter the Danish market.
