Feb 17 - Kentucky Fried Chicken has announced it is to create 9,000 jobs in the UK over the next 3-5 years, as part of an expansion driven in part by recession-hit consumers seeking cheaper food.
The US fast food giant said its GBP 150 million expansion programme will see up to 300 new outlets opening by 2014. The new branches will each employ between 25 and 40 people and are expected to reflect the current profile of KFC's outlets - with 38% owned by the chain and the rest franchised.
KFC Chief Executive Martin Shuker said the chicken chain was growing at the expense of rivals such as McDonald’s. The company was thriving during the economic downturn as consumers turned to cheaper food, he added.
He said: "I think KFC is doing well because the taste and quality of our food is very strong and very distinctive and we do offer good value, so you can buy a bargain bucket and feed a family of four for a tenner, [which is] definitely appealing in these difficult economic times."
He said the company’s like-for-like sales were up 14% so far this year, with group sales having risen in all but one of the last 15 years.
Mr Shuker said the firm was increasingly moving towards drive-through restaurants and outlets that encourage customers to eat in.
"The picture of KFC as only a takeaway is a dated one really," he said. "If you were to go to Manchester, Birmingham, Scotland or Wales the predominant restaurant we have is actually a drive-through."
Mr Shuker said the firm had already smartened up many of its outlets with modern decor and more comfortable seating. He said KFC was also attempting to appeal to health-conscious customers by trialling a new grilled chicken option this year.
KFC currently has 22,000 UK staff in its 760 outlets.