The UK expansion will bring US food options not typically seen in the UK, such as savoury biscuits and ranch-flavoured dipping sauces
American fast food giant Chick-fil-A will finally open its first UK restaurant this autumn.
The restaurant chain, famous for its signature chicken sandwiches, has long been teasing its return to the UK, having previously opened a pop up store in Reading in 2019.
But in a new update, Chick-fil-A has announced its first permanent restaurant will open in Leeds, although an exact date has not been confirmed by the company.
Chick-fil-A previously revealed plans to open five UK restaurants within two years following a $100million (£74million) investment. The UK expansion will bring US food options not typically seen in the UK, such as savoury biscuits and ranch-flavoured dipping sauces.
Chick-fil-A runs more than 3,000 sites across the US, Puerto Rico and Canada. Its expansion into the UK is set to create around 400 new jobs for Brits. It follows the opening of two Chick-fil-A outlets in Northern Ireland earlier this year, in Lisburn and Templepatrick
Anita Costello, chief international officer at Chick-fil-A, previously said: “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 UK.
“From job creation to supporting local causes, we are excited about the positive impact our first restaurants will have in the communities they serve.”
Chick-fil-A was founded by Samuel Truett Cathy in 1946 who “based his business on biblical principles”, and is still owned by the Cathy Family today.
The family are known for being devout Christians and these beliefs are entwined into the running of its restaurants. Chick-fil-A stores do not open on Sundays, a policy that will also apply in the UK, according to reports.
Its mission statement is “to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A”.
It comes after US fried chicken chain Popeyes announced it will open 45 new restaurants in the UK this year. Popeyes, which is famous for its Louisiana-style chicken burgers, has more than 80 sites in the UK.
The chain opened its first UK restaurant in 2021 at the Westfield shopping centre in Stratford, London. But now, the fast food giant has confirmed its plans to expand with even more UK sites, after securing £43million from Barclays Corporate Banking.
Popeyes previously said it wants to expand in cities including Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool and London, including eat-in restaurants, drive thru sites, and delivery kitchens.