Chick-fil-A, the US fast-food chain, is planning to relaunch in the UK in early 2025 and expand to five sites within the first two years, it has announced.
The Atlanta-based chain, which runs more than 2,800 restaurants across the US, plans to invest $100mn (£80m) in the UK over the next decade, and create between 80 and 120 jobs per store.
The UK expansion is part of a larger $1bn (£800m) plan to introduce Chick-fil-A’s fried chicken sandwich to five markets outside North America by 2030.
Chick-fil-A is hoping to attract UK franchise partners to its “unique” owner-operator model, which requires $10,000 (£8,000) of investment from the franchisee. Four in every five franchisees will operate just one site, Chick-fil-A said.
It returns to Britain four years after closing a pop-up ago following protests by LGBT campaigners over its founding family’s support for Christian organisations opposed to gay rights.
The fried chicken outlet launched its first UK restaurant in Reading in 2019 but just eight days after the launch the shopping centre housing the store announced its lease would end after six months following a backlash from protesters.
The founding Cathy family’s gave money to Christian groups opposed to same-sex marriage and advocating conversion therapy.
The company, which is led by the founder’s grandson Andrew Cathy, has overhauled its philanthropic policy in 2019 to focus on education, homelessness and hunger.
“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,” said Joanna Symonds, Chick-fil-A’s head of UK operations.
Chick-fil-A does not open on Sundays in the US because of religious reasons. The Financial Times reported the same policy would apply in the UK.
Anita Costello, Chick-fil-A’s chief international officer, said the franchise model would bring “one of a kind access to entrepreneurial opportunities”. “We are excited our restaurants will bring new jobs and opportunities throughout the UK,” she added.
