When Hurricane Melissa swept across parts of Jamaica, it caused widespread damage and disruption, leaving many families struggling to recover. Among those affected were KFC Jamaica team members, several of whom experienced damage to their homes and the loss of personal belongings, even as they continued to support one another and the communities around them.
In recognition of that resilience, the CARIBLA Franchisee Association made a US$75,000 donation to support KFC Jamaica team members impacted by the hurricane. The funds will assist with rebuilding efforts and provide much-needed relief to help team members regain stability during the recovery process.
CARIBLA represents franchisees operating more than 2,190 KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants across 37 markets throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, including Restaurants of Jamaica (ROJ), operators of KFC and Pizza Hut locally. The donation reflects the strength of the regional franchisee network and a shared commitment to standing with team members during times of hardship.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, ROJ mobilized resources to support communities across the island while also ensuring its own people were not left behind. Through its national meal support program, driven by the efforts of KFC restaurant teams across multiple locations, ROJ has delivered more than 75,000 meals to shelters, families, and essential workers to date. Additionally, financial grants were distributed to assist affected team members and to support partner organizations, helping to extend the reach of relief efforts through coordinated work with groups such as the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Samaritan’s Purse, Food for the Poor, and World Central Kitchen.
The commitment of KFC teams was especially evident in Black River, St. Elizabeth, one of the hardest-hit parishes. There, team members, many of whom were managing damage to their own homes, returned to work to support meal preparation and distribution within the community. The reopening of the KFC Black River restaurant became a critical point of access for continued support, allowing assistance to reach families directly from within the parish.
As relief efforts continued, ROJ also focused on providing direct support to its staff. At the company’s support resource center, teams prepared more than 700 care packages containing food, hygiene items, and other essentials. These packages were delivered directly to team members most impacted by the storm, ensuring support reached those both on the ground and those focused on recovery at home.
“Throughout this crisis, our team’s resilience and dedication were nothing short of extraordinary,” said Tina Matalon, Marketing Director of Restaurants of Jamaica. “Even while facing personal loss, many of our team members continued to support their colleagues and the communities they serve. We are deeply grateful to the CARIBLA Franchisee Association for reinforcing that sense of solidarity and helping us provide the care our teams needed, when they needed it most.”
As recovery continues, ROJ remains focused on longer-term support, with plans to launch a rebuilding program in the new year aimed at helping affected team members restore their homes and livelihoods.
The contribution from the CARIBLA Franchisee Association underscores the shared values of the regional network, reinforcing a collective commitment to supporting the teams who stepped forward to support others during one of Jamaica’s most challenging periods.
