P.M. BRIEFING : Burger King Layoffs Hinted

Burger King Corp., America’s No. 2 hamburger chain, is poised to trim up to 400 people from its staff nationwide, including regional vice presidents and franchise operations managers, it was reported today.

The Miami Herald said 300 to 400 workers could be affected by the cuts, which would represent the second such round of layoffs since the fast-food giant was acquired by Grand Metropolitan PLC in January, 1989.

Burger King employs about 41,000 workers nationwide, including more than 1,000 at its south Florida headquarters and in its regional offices.

Grand Met cut Burger King’s corporate staff by 550 employees in April, 1989, including about 100 workers at its headquarters.

The reductions left the company with a headquarters staff of about 450 and a field staff of about 580, Burger King said at the time.