ST THOMAS, Jamaica — The new KFC restaurant in Morant Bay, St Thomas is now open.

Opening its doors to customers on Tuesday, the brand manager of Restaurant of Jamaica (ROJ), which owns and operates the local franchise, Andrei Roper, said the company was happy to open for business, even as they pick up the pieces from the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

“Today is a big day….a long-awaited day, and we are glad to finally open our doors. We know it’s been a very challenging last month for the entire nation, in particular friends of the west and also persons who were impacted in the parish of St Thomas,” Roper said.

He said this opening signals that brighter days are ahead, including more growth and expansion.

“We’re going to be a part of the community for years to come. The first customer has already arrived. He was here for a while. We know customers are going to be coming right through the day. I’m looking for not just to continue support from the community, but to continue to create more jobs, more opportunities, more partnerships with organisations not just in Morant Bay but in St Thomas,” Roper said.