KFC Halal, the name of the restaurant (not affiliated with the American brand), was called the first American branch of its kind. The restaurant obtained approval from Iran’s Ministry of Industry, and on its Instagram page customers were shown lining up for chicken.
Iranian police closed down the restaurant and left a sign on the door saying it would be closed until further notice.
The store’s decor resembled the American flag too closely. The presence could be viewed as part of American influence into Iranian culture.
However, local media reported the restaurant closed because it was operating under a false license. Also, the sign reportedly said that the U.S. was one of Iran’s major enemies.
Abbas Pazuki, the manager of the restaurant, said the store was closed because of a misunderstanding. Pazuki added that the restaurant was part of a brand called Halal KFC, which comes from Turkey. He said the Turkish brand rivaled the American version of KFC.
Ali Fazeli, head of the Iranian chamber of commerce, said no American fast food brand has a restaurant in the country. He said food products from Iranian KFC has nothing to do with the American KFC.
Fazeli added that they do not give any authorization to Western brands in the fast food sector, as they act in accordance with orders from the supreme leader of Iran.
