Food: Burger King closes shops

THE GLOBAL hamburger chain Burger King had cancelled the franchises at 89 of its 700 German restaurants after negative publicity about low pay for the staff, it said yesterday. A TV investigative programme in May alleged staff at the outlets were forced to alter sell-by dates on food and lacked some appliances common in most German restaurants, such as dishwashers and garbage compressors. Pay gouging with overtime and extra benefits withheld was the most serious allegation. The franchise cancellations mean other licencees must be found to run the outlets. – Sapa-dpa