Why Did KFC and Taco Bell Close in Puerto Rico? What Happened and When They Reopen

Short answer: KFC and Taco Bell temporarily closed all their restaurants in Puerto Rico on Monday, November 2, 2026. Parent company Yum! Brands ended its deal with Encanto Restaurants, the island franchisee that ran them, saying Encanto could no longer meet the brands' quality standards. Both chains say they are looking for a new franchise partner and hope to reopen "very soon." No reopening date has been given.

KFC restaurant exterior with the Colonel sign

Photo: KFC

What happened to KFC and Taco Bell in Puerto Rico?

	Details
Closed	All KFC and Taco Bell restaurants in Puerto Rico
When	Monday, November 2, 2026
Who ran them	Encanto Restaurants, a local franchisee
Why	Yum! Brands ended the franchise deal over quality standards
Is it permanent?	Called temporary while a new franchise partner is found
Reopening date	Not announced

KFC's statement, posted on social media in Spanish, said Encanto "cannot keep operating in a way that meets our quality standards." KFC thanked customers for their loyalty and said it hopes to serve them again very soon.

Who is Encanto Restaurants?

Puerto Rico's big fast food franchisee, founded in 2004
Ran KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and IHOP on the island, about 180 restaurants in all
Employs more than 3,000 people
Has faced dozens of lawsuits in 2026 over unpaid rent and debts, according to local outlets El Nuevo Día and El Vocero

How many KFC and Taco Bell locations closed?

The companies haven't given a count. Encanto listed 83 KFC restaurants on the island as of December 2024. The number of Taco Bells has not been reported. The closures cover all KFC and Taco Bell locations Encanto operated.

Are Pizza Hut and IHOP closing in Puerto Rico too?

Not announced. Encanto also runs Pizza Hut and IHOP, but the closure statements only cover KFC and Taco Bell. Check before you go.

What happens to the workers?

Encanto, KFC and Taco Bell haven't said how many workers are affected or whether they will be rehired by a new operator. Local outlet Primera Hora reported the closures could leave hundreds of people without jobs.

When will KFC and Taco Bell reopen in Puerto Rico?

No date yet. Both brands say they are searching for a new franchise partner. Local media named a possible buyer, but no deal has been announced. We'll update this page when there is news.

A long history on the island

KFC opened its first Puerto Rico restaurant in 1967, and Encanto has run Taco Bell there since 1985.

More KFC news: KFC's US restaurants are switching from Pepsi to Coca-Cola in 2027, and the $10 Bucket of the Day is still running on the mainland.

FAQ

Why did KFC close in Puerto Rico?

Yum! Brands ended its franchise deal with Encanto Restaurants, the local operator, saying Encanto could no longer meet KFC’s quality standards. All KFC restaurants on the island closed on November 2, 2026.

Did Taco Bell close in Puerto Rico too?

Yes. Taco Bell restaurants in Puerto Rico, also run by Encanto, closed at the same time.

Is KFC coming back to Puerto Rico?

KFC says it is looking for a new franchise partner and hopes to reopen very soon, but no date has been announced.

How many KFC restaurants were in Puerto Rico?

Encanto listed 83 KFC restaurants in Puerto Rico as of December 2024. The companies have not given a current count.

Are Pizza Hut and IHOP closing in Puerto Rico?

The closure announcements only cover KFC and Taco Bell. Encanto also runs Pizza Hut and IHOP on the island.

What is Encanto Restaurants?

Puerto Rico’s largest fast food franchisee, running about 180 KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and IHOP restaurants with more than 3,000 employees.