Operators weigh in on Hurricane Katrina's damage to their systems

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina's deadly rampage through the Gulf Coast region, several of the industry's largest chains still are trying to account for all employees and franchisees as officials grapple with the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. Burger King Corp. said 180 BK restaurants were closed from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle at the height of the hurricane. Miami-based Burger King had several trucks "staged as closely as we can get" to affected areas with water, nonperishable foods, diapers and baby formulas for its employees, spokeswoman Edna Johnson said. Among restaurants damaged or shut down is the chains of Louisville,Ky.-based Yum! Brands Inc., "the vast majority are franchised units," though they represent "a very small percentage of our stores," spokesman Jonathan Blum said. "Our first priority is learning about our teammates," he added. Yum established a relief fund for affected employees and franchisees of its KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, A&W and Long John's Silver 's chains. Yum also sent a mobile kitchen to the region to feed emergency workers. www.nrn.com