UK fried chicken brand KFC plans to invest £1.49 billion to create more than 7,000 jobs in the UK and Ireland over the next five years.
The investment forms part of KFC UK&I’s future growth strategy, which includes the ambition to become the fastest growing restaurant brand for the next generation, with plans to open a further 500 restaurants by 2035. This also comes as the UK fried chicken market is estimated to be worth £3.1 billion, which KFC said was driven by its UK and Ireland expansion over the last 60 years.
Of the £1.49 billion investment, KFC said that £466 million will go towards opening new restaurants across the UK&I, focusing on building flagship sites and drive-thrus in key locations such as Ireland and North West England, where there is “strong potential for growth”. Part of this figure will also be spent on upgrading more than 200 existing KFC restaurants, a total of 20% of the KFC estate.
Through its expansion, KFC will aim to create more than 7,000 new jobs within its UK&I business and across its supply chain over the next five years, an investment totalling £583 million. These new roles in restaurant include customer-facing team member jobs, kitchen-based roles, restaurant managers and a newly created guest experience lead role tasked with improving the customer experience in restaurant. All roles will reportedly offer a range of training and development opportunities to “support fast career progression” at KFC.
In addition to investing in restaurants and job creation, £404 million of the £1.49 billion investment will aim to strengthen KFC’s long-standing relationships with its suppliers and help businesses across the UK&I continue to grow. Pilgrim’s Europe, supplying fresh chicken from farms across the UK, Buckinghamshire-based McCormick making KFC’s gravy, Nature’s Way growing salads at farms in Chichester, and software company Fourth supplying the technology powering KFC’s restaurant operations are all set to benefit from KFC’s growth and investment in the UK&I.
Rob Swain, general manager of KFC UK & Ireland, said: “We’ve been serving customers in the UK for 60 years now, but we’ve never seen such strong demand for freshly prepared, fried chicken as we’re seeing today.
“As the market leader and a near-£2 billion revenue business, we’re incredibly well-positioned to unlock this opportunity. That’s why we’re doubling down on our commitment to the UK&I with a major investment in our restaurants, and in the suppliers who have been so crucial to our success, which will create jobs in local communities across the country.”
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “Hospitality’s ability to create places where people want to live, work and invest is unrivalled. This significant announcement from KFC is proof of that and will help to drive socially productive growth, deliver economically and support employment across the UK.”
“We remain committed to championing the skilled, essential jobs behind British poultry production.”
Richard Griffiths, BPC
Chief executive of the British Poultry Council (BPC) Richard Griffiths commented: “Creating jobs in food is something we can all get behind. We welcome investment that values frontline work and the importance of putting food on people’s tables – something BPC member businesses know only too well.
“We remain committed to championing the skilled, essential jobs behind British poultry production across the whole supply chain.”
