Latest news with #KFCUK
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
UK's first KFC marks 60th birthday celebrations in Preston
Celebrations have taken place to mark 60 years since the first KFC fast food restaurant opened in a UK high street. The famous friend chicken chain marked its diamond anniversary with a pop-up event in Preston's Flag Market featuring memorabilia, a history film and a range of local food Eccles, current assistant manager of the restaurant in the city's Fishergate, said: "It was opened in 1965 by Colonel Sanders himself. It's amazing to know it started here in Preston when you've got all those other big cities out there."She added: "It has come through a lot of changes over the years the way KFC has expanded." Rob Swain, general manager for KFC UK & Ireland, said: "Preston is where British fried chicken history began." The chain now wanted to thank the people of Preston for "playing such an important role in our growth story this side of the pond", he celebrations also featured an immersive exhibition and pop-up cinema where six decades of the brand's history were remembered. It showed original KFC menus and uniforms, a range of the chain's nostalgic advertising campaigns and other memorabilia tracing the restaurant's journey from its roots in Kentucky to its first restaurant in Harland Sanders was an entrepreneur who began selling fried chicken from his roadside restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, during the Great businessmen Harry Latham and Raymond Allen then worked under the supervision of their friend the colonel to bring the franchise to the was said to have possessed a handwritten copy of the restaurant's secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices, which is has declined to make public to this day. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
KFC announces £1.5billion expansion plans to open 500 more restaurants in the next decade as demand for fried chicken surges
KFC has announced plans to invest nearly £1.5 billion into its UK and Ireland chain by opening 500 more restaurants in the next ten years, as it said demand for fried chicken is stronger than it's ever been. The fast-food giant said the expansion is expected to create 7,000 new jobs. KFC's plans form part of new growth ambitions as the chain looks to expand its reach across the nation and put money into its existing locations. It is set to spend about £466 million on opening new restaurants, with a focus on building flagship sites and drive-thrus in places like Ireland and the North West of England where it can tap into growing demand. The cash will also go toward upgrading more than 200 existing restaurants, representing about a fifth of its entire chain, with a new design and the latest digital features. KFC says on its website that it is offering up to a £20,000 'finder's fee' to landlords and property experts who introduce a site it can build on. The expansion will result in about 7,000 new jobs being created across the UK and Ireland business and its supply chain, over the next five years, according to the group. This will include jobs in restaurants and as managers, kitchen-based jobs, and a newly-created 'guest experience' role across the chain. It currently has more than 1,000 restaurants in the UK and Ireland and hires about 30,000 staff. Investment is also earmarked for KFC's suppliers, including spending on fresh chicken, gravy, and salads. Rob Swain, KFC UK and Ireland's general manager, 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.' He added that the company was 'doubling down' on its commitment to the UK and Ireland with its £1.49 billion total investment.
Associated Press
04-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Lucy Taylor's Bold Journey: From Breaking Barriers to Leading KFC UK & Ireland
LinkedIn Meet , our incredible COO of KFC UK & Ireland, whose 20-year journey has taken her to over 25 countries (and counting!). From breaking barriers to inspiring others, Lucy's story is the definition of bold moves and bucket-worthy success. 'I was the first woman COO in the Middle East, and what excited me most was giving hope to other women – showing them that it's possible.' Want to be part of a team where dreams take flight? Keep watching to find out how to join our KFC UK operations family. Operations are the heart of KFC. They're the reason our customers get to enjoy our finger lickin' good chicken and exceptional service every single day. From our in-restaurant teams who bring the Colonel's Original Recipe to life, to the leaders driving customer excellence, risk and compliance, food safety, and more, it takes an army of passionate, bold, and customer-focused individuals to make our brand what it is. We like to think of them as our 12th secret ingredient. As our COO, Lucy Taylor, shares in the clip below, the opportunities at KFC are endless. With bold ambitions in a rapidly growing business, we're looking for driven individuals ready to support and unlock potential in our people, build our brand and make a positive impact to our communities.
