DHL delivery problems shuts KFC sites: Delivery company DHL has apologised after multiple KFC branches were forced to close when their chicken wasn’t delivered. The problems arose just four months after the courier company promised to “set a new delivery standard” as it was awarded the KFC delivery contract. Multiple closures were reported across the UK including Newcastle, Suffolk, Surrey and Berkshire. In a tweet, KFC UK said: “The chicken crossed the road, just not to our restaurants. We’ve brought a new delivery partner on board, but they’ve had a couple of teething problems – getting fresh chicken out to 900 restaurants across the country is pretty complex! We won’t compromise on quality, so no deliveries has meant some of our restaurants are closed, and others are operating a limited menu, or shortened hours. Shout out to our restaurant teams who are working flat out to get us back up and running again.” A DHL spokeswoman added: “Due to administrative issues a number of deliveries have been incomplete or delayed. We are doing our utmost to rectify the situation as soon as possible and apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.”

Craft Beer co-founder Martin Hayes secures virtual freehold of original Pimlico site: Martin Hayes, co-founder and managing director of The Craft Beer Co has bought the virtual freehold of his iconic first pub in London, Cask Pub and Kitchen, from Greene King. Opened in 2009, it is considered by many to have led the way in London for a new type of pub focussed on craft beers. It was the launch pad for The Craft Beer Co which since 2011 has opened nine sites, the most recent on Old Street. The deal was concluded privately for an undisclosed figure. Hayes said: “I am extremely grateful to Greene King for all the help and vision they showed in helping me get my business off the ground back in 2009 when free-of-tie agreements and craft beer was not the fashionable trend it is today. Bob Luke, David Carless, Clive Chesser and Simon Longbottom were all instrumental in helping me to realise my dream.”

Creams opens UK’s largest dessert-only restaurant in Debenhams debut: The UK’s largest dessert-only restaurant has opened in a new Debenhams development in Stevenage. Creams Cafe, which has over 100 choices of ice cream, gelato, crepes and waffles, will be on the ground floor of Debenhams in the Roaring Meg retail and leisure park. Handley Amos, chief executive of Creams, said: “We are thrilled to be opening our first Debenhams concession. Since launching ten years ago, our strategy has always been to stretch the brand by working with compatible partners. Debenhams’ new store in Stevenage is the perfect place for us to launch our partnership with one of the UK’s leading retailers as it will give us the opportunity to take our brand into new avenues and extend our core offering.” Creams was set up in 2008 and is planning on doubling numbers in its existing estate of circa 70 sites in the UK. Sam Shutt, head of external business restaurants at Debenhams, said: “We are always on the look-out to partner with brands that bring something different and further enhance our food offering. By teaming up with Creams we are now able to offer a contemporary third-party brand which specialises in delicious desserts, giving our customers yet another reason to visit or stay within the store.”