US-based fast food restaurant chain Chick-fil-A is set to make a comeback in the UK market in early 2025, revealing its expansion plans.
The company’s return to the UK market comes just a few years after it shuttered its initial UK pop-up store. This closure followed protests by LGBTQA+ activists who raised concerns about the founding family’s support for Christian organizations that opposed same-sex marriage.
It plans to allocate over $100 million in investments over the course of the next ten years, with the ambitious aim of opening five new locations within the country during the first two years.
The expansion of new stores is anticipated to generate 80 to 120 fresh employment opportunities within the region, with team members benefiting from flexible work schedules and competitive compensation packages.
The company has announced that it will exclusively source all of its chicken from the UK and Ireland, ensuring that it utilizes 100% free-range eggs and complies with welfare certification standards.
Furthermore, the restaurants will adopt a distinctive owner-operator model, with nearly 80% of them being owned by individuals who operate just one restaurant, requiring a minimal investment of only $10,000.
Chick-fil-A chief international officer Anita Costello said, “We are excited our restaurants will bring new jobs and opportunities throughout the UK.
“Serving communities is at the heart of everything we do at Chick-fil-A and our unique local owner-operator model provides one-of-a-kind access to entrepreneurial opportunities.
“We look forward to sharing our authentic Chick-fil-A experience: providing fresh food prepared with high-quality ingredients served with our signature hospitality.”
The upcoming Chick-fil-A restaurants in the UK will feature a menu that includes the iconic Original Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, along with freshly prepared salads and hand-breaded nuggets available throughout the day for guests to enjoy.
The restaurant brand has ambitious plans to establish its presence in Europe and Asia by 2026, with a further expansion goal of adding five more international locations by the close of this decade.
The launch of the UK store will mark the brand’s inaugural permanent establishment outside of North America.
Chick-fil-A UK operations head Joanna Symonds said, “From our earliest days, we’ve worked to positively influence the places we call home and this will be the same for our stores in the UK.
“We encourage our Operators to partner with organisations that support and positively impact their local communities, delivering great food and wider benefits to those around them.”