KFC closed all restaurant locations in Puerto Rico after ending its commercial relationship with local franchise operator Encanto Restaurants, which also operated Taco Bell on the island [1][3]
On 2 November 2026, the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources activated support services for workers laid off by KFC and Taco Bell closures on the island [2] Laid off workers may submit unemployment benefit claims through the official desempleo.trabajo.pr.gov digital platform [4][6] Puerto Rico Labor Secretary María del Pilar Vélez Casanova stated the agency has available resources and programs to support affected workers during employment transition [5]
Available support includes unemployment insurance application assistance, occupational guidance, and access to job training programs. [7] As of 2 November 2026, the total number of employees that may lose their jobs remains unknown [8] Encanto Restaurants had not issued any public statement regarding the termination of its franchise agreement as of 2 November 2026 [9]
Affected workers must register as job seekers to access full employment support, training and placement services. [10]KFC cerró todas sus localidades de restaurantes en Puerto Rico tras terminar su relación comercial con el operador de franquicias local Encanto Restaurants, que también operaba Taco Bell en la isla [1][3]
El 2 de noviembre de 2026, el Departamento del Trabajo y Recursos Humanos de Puerto Rico activó servicios de apoyo para los empleados despedidos por los cierres de KFC y Taco Bell en la isla [2] Los empleados despedidos pueden presentar reclamaciones de beneficios por desempleo a través de la plataforma digital oficial desempleo.trabajo.pr.gov [4][6] La secretaria del Trabajo de Puerto Rico, María del Pilar Vélez Casanova, indicó que la agencia tiene recursos y programas disponibles para apoyar a los empleados afectados durante la transición de empleo [5]
El apoyo disponible incluye asistencia para solicitar el seguro por desempleo, orientación ocupacional y acceso a programas de adiestramiento laboral. [7] Al 2 de noviembre de 2026, se desconoce el número total de empleados que podrían perder sus trabajos [8] Encanto Restaurants no había emitido ninguna declaración pública sobre la terminación de su acuerdo de franquicia al 2 de noviembre de 2026 [9]
Los empleados afectados deben registrarse como buscadores de empleo para acceder a los servicios completos de apoyo al empleo, adiestramiento y colocación. [10]
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What this stands on
KFC closed all restaurant locations in Puerto Rico after ending its commercial relationship with local franchise operator Encanto Restaurants, which also operated Taco Bell on the island · Primera HoraPuerto Rico
On 2 November 2026, the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources activated support services for workers laid off by KFC and Taco Bell closures on the island · Primera HoraPuerto Rico
The parent company of KFC and Taco Bell has ended its operating relationship with Encanto Restaurants in Puerto Rico · El Nuevo DíaPuerto Rico
Laid off workers may submit unemployment benefit claims through the official desempleo.trabajo.pr.gov digital platform · Primera HoraPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico Labor Secretary María del Pilar Vélez Casanova stated the agency has available resources and programs to support affected workers during employment transition · Primera HoraPuerto Rico
Affected workers may apply for unemployment benefits online at desempleo.trabajo.pr.gov or by calling 787-754-7300. · Metro Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Available support includes unemployment insurance application assistance, occupational guidance, and access to job training programs. · Metro Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
As of 2 November 2026, the total number of employees that may lose their jobs remains unknown · El Nuevo DíaPuerto Rico
Encanto Restaurants had not issued any public statement regarding the termination of its franchise agreement as of 2 November 2026 · El Nuevo DíaPuerto Rico
Affected workers must register as job seekers to access full employment support, training and placement services. · NotiCel - La verdad como es - Noticias de Puerto Rico - NOTICEL -
The 3 we could place publish from Puerto Rico. 1 could not be placed by their address. None is an official body: that part stands on reporting, not on the underlying document or transcript.