KFC is set to invest almost £1.5bn in the UK and Ireland over the next five years in a bid to expand its presence and upgrade existing sites.
Of the £1.49bn investment, £466m will go towards creating an additional 500 new restaurants over the next 10 years, with a focus on building flagship sites and drive-thrus.
These sites will roll out in key locations such as the north west of England and Ireland.
The expansion plans are expected to create more than 7,000 new jobs across the business and its supply chain, including restaurant manager and kitchen-based roles. A newly created guest experience lead role, meanwhile, will be focused on improving the customer experience in restaurants.
The fast food chain will also upgrade more than 200 existing sites, which currently account for 20% of its store portfolio, with a new design and updated digital capabilities.
Meanwhile, £404m will be used to strengthen KFC’s relationships with its suppliers, including Pilgrim’s Europe, McCormick and Nature’s Way.
“We’ve never seen such strong demand for freshly prepared fried chicken as we’re seeing today,” said KFC UK and Ireland general manager Rob Swain.
“That’s why we’re doubling down on our commitment to the UK and Ireland with a major investment in our restaurants and in the suppliers who have been so crucial to our success.”
KFC forecasts the investment will contribute a further £169m of direct gross value added to the UK economy over the next five years.
The plans come two months after Swain stepped into the general manager role, replacing former GM Meghan Farren, who was promoted to president of Yum Brands’ sister company Taco Bell North America.
Before his promotion, Swain served as chief operations officer of KFC global since 2022.
No comments yet