Fast food chain KFC says it plans to open 150 new outlets in the UK and Ireland over the next five years, creating as many as 6000 jobs. The fried chicken business said on Monday it would spend STG21 million ($A38.25 million) opening 32 new stores creating 1300 jobs this year alone. The US-owned chain said increased demand means it will be able to carry on opening restaurants at the same pace over the following four years. “The reality is that we could absolutely keep growing at thi
s rate for the next five years and longer because there’s demand for KFC in geographies where we are not yet present,” Martin Shuker, MD of KFC UK and Ireland , said.
KFC currently runs 860 stores across the UK, employing 25,000 staff. This compares with around 1200 McDonald’s and 1790 Subway outlets.
KFC said it will also spend STG40 million to refurbish a further 220 outlets.
Founded in the US in the 1950s, KFC opened its first UK branch in Preston in 1965.
KFC is owned by US fast-food operation Yum Brands, which also owns Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.
Earlier this month Yum Brands posted first quarter profits up 18 per cent.
PA
