Yum Brands unveils $2 billion expansion plan to meet rising fried chicken demand.
KFC’s parent company, Yum Brands, has announced a major expansion plan aimed at opening 500 new KFC restaurants across the United Kingdom and Ireland over the next decade. The move, which includes a $2 billion investment over the next five years, is expected to create more than 7,000 new jobs and modernize many of the chain’s existing outlets.
Currently operating around 1,000 restaurants in the region, KFC plans to build on strong market demand for fried chicken.
This growing appetite has also attracted other chains such as Popeyes, Wingstop, and Dave’s Hot Chicken, all of which are expanding their footprints in the U.K.
According to data from research firm Meaningful Vision, the number of chicken chain restaurants in the U.K. increased by 12.3% in the first nine months of 2024. A survey from July 2023 also revealed that six in ten U.K. adults now prefer fried chicken to traditional dishes like fish and chips.
The United Kingdom has become one of KFC’s top-performing international markets. In the first quarter of 2025, the brand reported a 3% increase in same-store sales globally. Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs credited part of KFC’s U.K. success to its launch of the Double Down Zinger Burger, which helped the brand gain market share from competitors.
Additionally, the U.K. served as the testing ground for KFC’s Kwench beverage range, which has now expanded to other markets, including Australia. The company is also investing in renovations to refresh and upgrade current stores across the U.K. and Ireland.
Taco Bell Set to Launch in Ireland This Summer
Alongside KFC’s growth, Taco Bell—also owned by Yum Brands—is preparing to enter the Irish market. In partnership with fuel retailer Applegreen, Taco Bell will open its first location in Ireland later this summer, with additional sites planned over the next five years.
Applegreen confirmed the news in a statement, saying, “We’re excited to confirm plans to enter new markets in the coming months, with Taco Bell Ireland slated to make its debut first later this summer.”
Taco Bell has been aggressively expanding outside the U.S. as part of its long-term international strategy. At a Consumer Day event in New York earlier this year, the company announced plans to grow its global footprint to 3,000 locations outside the U.S. by 2030, up from just over 1,100 today.
Future growth markets include Germany, France, Greece, South Africa, and Croatia, with continued expansion also planned in existing territories such as the U.K., Spain, and India.
As Yum Brands ramps up its investment across the U.K. and Ireland, it signals a strong commitment to tapping into changing consumer preferences and fueling long-term growth in the fast-food sector.
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