Burger King Corp, the fastfood chain owned by UK-based Diageo, has accused Thai International Fast Food Co (TIFF) of operating BK franchises without authority. In a statement, the 11,800-outlet strong multinational maintained: “TIFF is wrongfully continuing to operate restaurants under the Burger King brand […] without any legal authority to do so.”
BK added that it will pursue “all appropriate legal remedies against TIFF in respect of its franchise agreements and its continued authorised operation of restaurants using the Burger King brand.”
A response from TIFF can be expected today, according to sources close to the company.
The franchise contract between BK and TIFF was terminated over contractual disputes in February, when TIFF decided to close the majority of its 14 outlets in Thailand, citing poor sales.
According to BK, the only authorised franchisees now operating in Thailand are Select Service Partner Ltd and Burger (Thailand) Ltd, a subsidiary of the Minor Group.
