Many KFC branches have closed due to a national chicken shortage.

KFC closure

KFC closure

The closure - which has now gone on for three days - was caused by issues with a new delivery contract with DHL and resulted in the nationwide shortage, the Metro reports.

KFC said in a statement: ''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.

''We know that this might have inconvenienced some of you over the last few days, and disappointed you when you wanted your fried chicken fix - we're really sorry about that.

''The chicken chain gave a 'shout out' to its restaurant teams, who the company said were 'working flat out to get us back up and running again.'''