Chick-fil-A, the legendary US fast-food chain, is finally making its long-awaited debut in the UK, setting up its first restaurant within an Applegreen service station in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, on January 30th. This marks the beginning of Chick-fil-A’s expansion into the UK market, with a second location slated to open in Templepatrick, Antrim, in March. Further expansion plans include restaurants in Leeds, Liverpool, and London, fulfilling the brand’s promise made in September to bring its famous fried chicken to British consumers. While exact dates for these openings are yet to be confirmed, the anticipation is palpable among fast-food enthusiasts. Importantly, Chick-fil-A will maintain its tradition of remaining closed on Sundays, in line with the Christian beliefs of its founder.
This foray into the UK follows a successful temporary pop-up in Reading in 2019 and comes on the heels of high praise from early menu tastings by The Sun, with comparisons favorable to McDonald’s and KFC. The chain’s signature chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, and nuggets are expected to be the top draws, along with a variety of breakfast items, salads, treats, and their signature lemonade. The lemonade, made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, pure cane sugar, and water, further adds to the brand’s appeal.
Chick-fil-A is not alone in its transatlantic ambitions. The UK fast-food landscape is experiencing a surge of American brands eager to tap into the British market. Carl’s Jr, another popular US burger chain, is set to open its first UK restaurant in April, generating considerable buzz online, particularly for its Western Bacon Cheeseburger. This influx of US chains suggests a growing appetite for American-style fast food in the UK.
Beyond burgers and chicken, the American invasion extends to other culinary niches. Family entertainment and dining center Chuck E. Cheese reportedly plans to open six branches across England and Scotland, while Dave’s Hot Chicken, known for its jumbo chicken slider, debuted in London last November. The Tex-Mex brand Velvet Taco is scheduled for a UK launch next spring, adding further diversity to the expanding fast-food scene.
The successful entry of Popeyes into the UK market in 2021 has demonstrated the potential for US brands to gain traction with British consumers. Wendy’s, which returned to the UK in 2021 after a 20-year absence, is also experiencing a resurgence, planning eight new locations this year, adding to its existing 31 sites. This signifies not only a renewed interest in American fast food but also a confidence in the UK market’s capacity to embrace these brands.
Wingstop, another successful US import, is poised for significant growth in the UK, with plans to open 15 new locations in 2024, building on its current 56 sites. This expansion is expected to generate 750 new jobs, demonstrating the positive economic impact of these US brands entering the UK market. The aggressive expansion of Wingstop, its largest since launching in the UK six years ago, underscores the growing popularity of American-style chicken wings. This collective influx of US fast-food chains suggests a dynamic shift in the UK’s culinary landscape, offering consumers a wider array of choices and intensifying competition within the fast-food sector. It remains to be seen how these new entrants will reshape the market and influence existing players.
