US-based fast food restaurant chain Chick-fil-A has unveiled plans to re-enter the UK market in early 2025.
The company is re-entering the UK market just a few years after closing its first UK pop-up store following protests by LGBTQA+ activists over its founding family's backing for Christian organisations opposed to same-sex marriage.
It plans to invest more than $100m in the next ten years and aims to open five new locations in the country in the first two years.
The opening of new stores is expected to create 80 to 120 new jobs in the region and team members will have flexible working hours and competitive wages.
The company said that all its chicken will be sourced from the UK and Ireland and will use 100% free-range eggs and welfare certification.
Additionally, the restaurants will have a unique owner-operator model, with nearly 80% owning just one restaurant and an investment of just $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.”
Its new restaurants in the UK will offer guests the Original Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, freshly made salads and nuggets that are hand-breaded throughout the day.
The restaurant brand intends to open restaurants in Europe and Asia by 2026 and five more international locations by the end of this decade.
The opening of the UK store will be the brand’s first permanent location outside 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.”
