KFC opens 1,000th UK outlet
KFC is celebrating a new milestone after opening its thousandth restaurant during the first quarter of the year. The fried chicken restaurant now employs over 27,000 people across UK and Ireland with, it says, a potential 1,500 new job opportunities set to be created across 2022.
Despite a challenging two years for the hospitality sector, KFC says it remains committed to the UK high street. Utilising a growth in sales that is largely down to increased demand for delivery, the chain has opened 160 new restaurants nationwide in the last five years, with a further 50 expected this year and another 300 over the next five.
Paula MacKenzie, general manager for KFC UK and Ireland, said: “We’ve been on a transformation journey over the last five years to become a more connected and vibrant business. Reaching a thousand restaurants is a testament to our growth and commitment to serving delicious fried chicken up and down the country.
“We know the role restaurants like ours play in employment levels and up-skilling the next generation. We want to be good business and a good neighbour, and we are committed to ensuring this remains the case as our growth continues with greater investment in our people and in our communities.”