KFC UK and Ireland and its franchise partner FPG Foods have announced a new agreement to accelerate FPG’s growth ambitions in the UK chicken market.
Under the deal, FPG will acquire 17 KFC restaurants across London and the South of England, doubling the size of its UK business and committing to an estate of 50 restaurants by 2030. The South Africa-based franchisee, which currently operates 61 restaurants across Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town, has been trading in the UK for two years.
Rashied Parker, CEO of FPG Foods, said the response since entering the UK market had strengthened confidence in the brand’s long-term potential. “From its strong leadership team to its focus on innovation and customer service, KFC UK and Ireland has all the ingredients for sustained growth and that is why we have set this ambitious plan to increase our estate to 50 restaurants by 2030.”
Parker also credited the performance of FPG Foods UK general manager Tyrone Herdman-Grant and his team, citing their focus on product quality, customer experience and team development as a key factor in the business being able to pursue its growth ambitions.
Rob Swain, general manager at KFC UK and Ireland, said the agreement marked an important step in the brand’s wider expansion across the UK and Ireland. “Our franchise partners are central to that ambition, helping us bring great tasting chicken, brilliant service and modern restaurants to more customers, in more communities.”
Swain described FPG Foods as having built a strong track record of operating high-performing restaurants, adding: “The UK and Ireland remain one of KFC’s most exciting markets. With strong franchise partners, talented restaurant teams and continued investment in the brand, we’re well placed to build on our leadership position and unlock the next chapter of growth together.”
The announcement forms part of KFC’s wider 2025 growth plan, which outlined a target to deliver a £1.5 billion impact in the UK and Ireland, including plans to open hundreds of new restaurants over the next decade. The brand reported UK system sales growth of 9% in the first quarter, driven in part by its Pickle Mania limited-time range, which it described as its most successful promotion in UK history.
FPG Foods is not the only franchise partner accelerating its UK expansion. Long-standing franchisee Gastronomy announced in September 2025 that it would more than double its KFC restaurant count by 2030, underlining continued investor confidence in the brand’s trajectory.
