Sorry, No Kentucky Fried Chicken

Kentucky Fried Chicken said Monday that it has closed its three restaurants in strife-torn Beijing, including its flagship store on Tian An Men Square, to protect the security of its 200 Chinese employees.

“The stores were closed Sunday and will remain that way for the duration of the disturbance in that city,” said Gregg Reynolds, a vice president for the fast-food restaurant chain. “We know of no damage to the store whatsoever.

“It’s a shame to see Chinese fighting Chinese. As of now, our main concern is the safety of our employees. And there is also a problem with getting deliveries to the stores,” he said.

The three-story, 12,000-square-foot Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant on Tian An Men Square, formally dedicated Nov. 12, 1988, is the first Western fast-food outlet in China. With more than 500 seats, it is also the world’s largest.

Reynolds said the two restaurants in other areas of the city also will remain closed until further notice.