Malaysia's KFC closes over 100 stores amid consumer boycott

Indonesia's Starbucks operator suffers loss as sentiment against U.S. worsens

A KFC outlet in Subang Jaya, Malaysia. This store was already reopened on May 2, but chairs and tables were still stacked up. (Photo by Norman Goh)

NORMAN GOH, HAKIMIE AMRIE and NANA SHIBATA, Nikkei staff writers

May 2, 2024 18:09 JST

KUALA LUMPUR/JAKARTA -- The impact of boycotts against American consumer brands is further spreading in Muslim-majority countries in Southeast Asia.

Malaysia's operator of the KFC restaurant chain has temporarily shut down over 100 restaurants nationwide, while Indonesia's Starbucks Coffee operator fell to a net loss in the January-March quarter, showing the possible impacts of consumer movements on their operations.