Yum Brands' KFC plans to invest £1.49 billion in Britain and Ireland over the next five years, creating over 7,000 jobs within its business and across its supply chain, it said today.
The fried chicken fast food chain, which currently operates over 1,000 outlets across the UK and Ireland, employing 30,000, said it planned to open a further 500 outlets over the next decade.
Of the £1.49 billion, £466m will go towards opening the new outlets and upgrading 200 existing sites, while £583m will be invested in new jobs, the company said.
KFC said the UK's appetite for fried chicken was growing, with the market estimated to be worth £3.1 billion.
"The market is only expected to grow further, with consumer demand for fried chicken outstripping other quick service restaurant categories," it added.
