The American fast-food brand Chick-fil-A has announced the locations of five new restaurants as it launches a second attempt to break into the British market. The 56-year-old family-owned business, which has more than 3,000 restaurants throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada, plans to open five restaurants in the UK over the next two years. London, Leeds and Liverpool have been selected, along with two branches in Belfast.

The company, famous for its Original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich, plans to open five venues – both licensed and locally-owned and operated models – in the UK over its first two years. It said the expansion would create about 400 new jobs at licenced and franchised restaurants, adding that over the next decade it planned to invest more than $100 million in the country.

The Atlanta-based chain, which is owned by the Cathy family, first came to Britain in 2019, opening a pop-up store in Reading. That site was closed after six months having been the focus of protests by gay rights campaigners, who called for a boycott over the company’s history of donating to groups said to have been anti-LBGT rights.

The Cathay family have donated money to various organisations, some of which have been linked with anti-LGBT beliefs. Chick-fil-A is still largely rooted in its founder’s Christian beliefs. In America, the restaurants do not open on Sundays, allowing staff to spend time with their families or in worship.

Chick-fil-A is hoping to entice UK franchise partners with what it claims is a “unique” owner-operator model, which will require about $10,000 in investment from the franchisee. As part of the ownership structure, the franchisee will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the business. However, unlike other fast-food chains in Britain, such as KFC and Burger King, operators will not own the property themselves.

The History of Chick-fil-A in the UK

Chick-fil-A’s previous attempt to enter the UK market was short-lived. The company opened a pop-up store in Reading in 2019, but it closed after six months following protests from LGBT rights campaigners. The protesters were concerned about the company’s history of donating to groups that were opposed to same-sex marriage.

Chick-fil-A has since ended donations to anti-LGBT groups, but the protests highlight the challenges that companies can face when trying to enter new markets.

Controversy and Criticism

Despite these past controversies, Chick-fil-A is confident that it can succeed in the UK. The company has a strong brand identity and a loyal following in the US, and it believes that its unique business model will appeal to UK franchisees.

Chick-fil-A's Expansion Plans

Chick-fil-A is targeting a number of UK cities for its expansion, including:

• Belfast
• Leeds
• Liverpool
• London

The company plans to open five restaurants in these cities over the next two years.

The Impact of the Expansion

Chick-fil-A's expansion into the UK is expected to create about 400 new jobs. The company is also planning to invest more than $100 million in the UK over the next decade.

Chick-fil-A's Business Model

Chick-fil-A has a unique business model that differs from other fast-food chains. The company does not franchise its restaurants in the traditional sense. Instead, it offers franchisees a unique owner-operator model. This means that franchisees are responsible for the day-to-day running of their restaurants, but they do not own the property.

The Future of Chick-fil-A in the UK

It remains to be seen whether Chick-fil-A will be able to overcome the challenges that it faced in the past and establish a successful presence in the UK. However, the company is clearly committed to the UK market, and its plans for expansion are ambitious. Only time will tell how successful Chick-fil-A will be in the UK.

The Second Time Around

Chick-fil-A’s return to the UK is a testament to its commitment to global expansion and its belief in the potential of the British market. The company has learned from its past experiences and is taking a more cautious approach this time around. It is focusing on building strong relationships with local communities and addressing the concerns of LGBTQ+ groups.

Chick-fil-A’s second attempt to conquer the UK will be watched closely by the fast-food industry. The company’s success will depend on its ability to navigate the cultural and political complexities of the UK market.