Chick-fil-A, Inc., the third largest quick service restaurant company in the United States, today announced its first restaurant locations as part of the company’s U.K.-wide expansion.
With more than 3,000 restaurants across the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada, the new sites in Belfast, Leeds, Liverpool, and London will mark the first locations outside of North America for the restaurant brand, which is known for its famous Original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich and friendly hospitality.
Chick-fil-A plans to open five restaurants, both licensed and locally owned and operated models, across the U.K. in the first two years.
“Serving communities is at the heart of everything we do, and we look forward to bringing Chick-fil-A’s delicious food and signature hospitality to Belfast, Leeds, Liverpool and London, and continuing our long-term investment in the U.K.,” said Anita Costello, Chief International Officer at Chick-fil-A, Inc. “From job creation to supporting local causes, we are excited about the positive impact our first restaurants will have in the communities they serve.”
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Caring for Communities
As part of Chick-fil-A’s longstanding mission to aid in the fight against hunger, the brand will donate £25,000 to a local non-profit organisation in celebration of each new restaurant opening. This tradition will be introduced to all U.K. locations to support their local communities.
Each restaurant will have the opportunity to participate in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table programme, an initiative that redirects surplus food from Chick-fil-A restaurants to local soup kitchens, shelters, food banks and non-profits in need.
Last year, the programme helped create more than 7 million meals from surplus food donated by participating Chick-fil-A restaurants throughout the U.S. and Canada. The programme will be introduced U.K.-wide.
Key Facts and Figures:
- Chick-fil-A plans to invest over $100M in the U.K. over the next 10 years
- The brand’s initial expansion into the U.K. will create approximately 400 new jobs at licensed and franchised restaurants.
- Our unique local Owner-Operator model means nearly 80% of Chick-fil-A local Owner-Operators own only one restaurant, at an investment of approximately $10,000
- While each restaurant is locally owned and operated, Owner-Operators typically offer Restaurant Team Members a wide range of competitive benefits.
- Chick-fil-A restaurants plan to serve chicken sourced from the U.K. as well as 100% free range eggs raised on farms with welfare certification.
Local Ownership
Most Chick-fil-A restaurants will be owned by local, independent Owner-Operators. Chick-fil-A Owner-Operators are small business owners, not passive investors, who are highly engaged in their businesses and within their communities. Each local Owner-Operator will be responsible for all day-to-day activities of the business – from hiring and developing their Team Members, to connecting with guests, to cultivating relationships with local organisations and businesses, and tailoring philanthropic efforts to meet the local community’s needs.
“We’ve always cared about the impact of our restaurants on the local communities that we serve, and we strive to positively impact areas throughout the U.K.,” said Joanna Symonds, Head of U.K. Operations. “Caring for people, while delivering great food, is at the heart of our brand, and we encourage our local Owner-Operators to partner with organisations which support their local communities.”
Chick-fil-A is currently accepting expressions of interest for individuals who are interested in becoming an independent Chick-fil-A franchise Owner-Operator in the U.K. Learn more here.
Chick-fil-A licensing opportunities are available to licensed food service providers and self-operated food service providers in university campuses, airports, healthcare facilities, or business and industry venues.
Delicious Food & Friendly Hospitality
Chick-fil-A is known for creating a welcoming restaurant experience, starting with friendly service, a warm welcome and quality food.
Popular menu items that will be introduced in the U.K. include: the Original Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, freshly made salads, and nuggets that are hand-breaded throughout the day.
The announcement marks the first stage of Chick-fil-A’s U.K. expansion plans.
