KFC Nerang’s closure for renovations leads to wild social media rumour campaign

Queensland Police and the City of Gold Coast have both denied involvement in the temporary closure of a local fast-food outlet. We asked KFC what was really going on.

KFC Nerang has fallen victim to a vicious social media rumour campaign. The reality, according to a KFC spokeswoman, is much more prosaic. Picture: Glenn Hampson

A fast-food outlet on the Gold Coast that closed suddenly in recent days appears to have fallen victim to a vicious social media rumour campaign, with a spokeswoman for the global brand telling this masthead the temporary closure is simply due to planned renovations.

KFC Nerang’s closure, understood to have occurred in recent days, set tongues wagging on the Gold Coast, with feverish online speculation the closure had been forced upon the restaurant.

The prevailing theory, which appeared to have been started on internet noticeboard Reddit, was that the outlet had been closed due to a rat infestation and allegations staff had been spitting on food, leading to police involvement.

The Reddit post that appears to have started the social media rumours about the reason for its temporary closure. Picture: Reddit

Reddit user Glittering_Season_47 claimed police had attended the site on Monday morning to investigate the allegations of employee misconduct.

However, when contacted by this masthead, a Queensland Police Service spokeswoman denied cops had anything to do with the matter.

“Police have had no involvement with KFC Nerang,” she said.

Workmen on the job at KFC Nerang, which will reopen on February 21. Picture Glenn Hampson

“Further, there is nothing in our logs or calls for service records that indicate anything of this nature.”

The City of Gold Coast, whose Environmental Health team is responsible for enforcing the Food Act 2006, also denied involvement.

“The City’s Environmental Health team wasn’t involved in the closure of KFC Nerang and there weren’t any complaints received,” a spokeswoman said.

Workmen on the job at KFC Nerang. Picture: Glenn Hampson

A KFC spokeswoman said internet sleuths were barking up the wrong tree.

“KFC Nerang is currently undergoing renovations – this was a planned closure for routine maintenance and remodelling,” she said.

“Locals will be able to visit the refreshed location from February 21.”

Pictures captured by this masthead at the restaurant on Tuesday depict workmen, trade vehicles, heavy machinery and other construction detritus at various locations in and around the fast-food restaurant.

Originally published as KFC Nerang’s closure for renovations leads to wild social media rumour campaign