KFC UK & Ireland is embarking on its biggest-ever expansion, unveiling a £1.49 billion investment plan to grow its restaurant footprint and modernise existing sites across the UK and Ireland over the next five years.
The fast-food giant, which already operates more than 1,000 restaurants across the region, plans to open 500 new outlets by 2034. The growth strategy is underpinned by a major property acquisition and development programme, with £466 million earmarked for securing new urban and drive-thru locations to reflect post-pandemic demand for convenience and off-premise dining.
The investment will also fund upgrades to more than 200 existing restaurants, with enhancements including updated kitchen equipment, digital ordering capabilities, and sustainability-focused building improvements. The move is expected to create more than 7,000 jobs and deliver a projected £169 million boost to the UK economy.
Rob Swain, general manager of KFC UK & Ireland, said: “We’ve never seen such demand for freshly prepared fried chicken as we’re seeing today. That’s why we’re doubling down on our commitment to the UK and Ireland with a major investment into our restaurants and in the suppliers who have been so crucial to our success.”
KFC’s growth will continue to be driven by its franchise-first model, with about 95 per cent of its UK outlets operated by local franchisees. The brand’s focus on drive-thru formats and retail park food courts – a trend accelerated by pandemic-era shifts in consumer habits – has helped maintain steady growth in recent years.
The timing of this expansion comes amid intensifying competition in the UK fried chicken market, with US brands like Popeyes, Wingstop and Slim Chickens making headway in major cities and regional hubs. KFC’s new investment is a clear signal of intent to defend and strengthen its leading market position.
This year marks KFC’s 60th anniversary in the UK, and the scale of the investment reflects its confidence in the long-term potential of the British quick-service restaurant market. Beyond expansion, the programme also aims to enhance customer experience and support local economies through job creation and increased supply chain activity.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, welcomed the move, calling it “proof of hospitality’s power to drive economic growth and support employment across the UK.”
Founded in the US in the 1950s, KFC first opened in the UK in 1965 in Preston. Its newest investment reaffirms the brand’s deep roots in Britain – and its ambitions for the future.
