Chick-fil-A’s Ambitious Return: US Fast Food Giant to Open Flagship Leeds Restaurant
Posted by Emma on 1st Sep 2025 Reading Time:
Chick-fil-A, the renowned American fried chicken chain, has confirmed the opening of a new restaurant in Leeds this autumn, signalling a determined return to the British market. The launch marks the company’s first permanent presence in England following previous, short-lived attempts to establish a foothold in the United Kingdom.
Headquartered in Atlanta and operating more than 3,000 outlets across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, Chick-fil-A is pressing ahead with plans to open five restaurants across the UK by the end of 2026. This expansion forms part of a wider strategy, accompanied by a substantial $100 million (£74 million) investment over the next decade to fuel its growth in Britain.
The Leeds site will be spearheaded by local owner-operator Mike Hoy, who brings a wealth of experience from his roles at Nando’s UK and Restaurant Brands International, where he led area franchising for Tim Hortons in Switzerland. The opening is anticipated to create between 70 and 120 jobs in the local area, emphasising the company’s commitment to community investment.
Chick-fil-A’s renewed UK venture follows its recent double opening in Northern Ireland, in partnership with motorway service operator Applegreen. The group has also announced a charitable donation of $25,000 to UK non-profit organisations to commemorate the Leeds launch, reflecting its revised philanthropic focus on education, homelessness, and hunger.
However, the company’s expansion has not been without controversy. Chick-fil-A’s first attempt to enter the UK market in 2019—via a site at Reading’s Oracle shopping centre—was met with significant protests from LGBTQ+ activists, who objected to the chain’s reported historic donations to organisations opposed to same-sex marriage. Pressure from campaigners led to the closure of the Reading outlet after just six months, and a subsequent pop-up in the Scottish Highlands also closed within a few months following public opposition.
In recent years, the company has made efforts to overhaul its philanthropic strategy and distance itself from previous controversies. Andrew T. Cathy, CEO of Chick-fil-A, has underscored the company’s desire to bring “great food and remarkable hospitality” to new markets, highlighting Chick-fil-A’s unique franchise model and its intention to make a positive impact in local communities.
The Leeds opening forms part of a broader international push for Chick-fil-A, which is also planning to launch its first restaurant in Singapore in 2025 as part of a $75 million (£55 million) expansion into Asia. Cathy described the simultaneous growth into Europe and Asia as a “meaningful milestone”, marking a new chapter for the brand beyond its US heartland.
As Chick-fil-A prepares to open its doors in Leeds, the move is being closely watched by both supporters and critics. The company’s efforts to reposition itself, coupled with its substantial investment in the UK, raise pertinent questions about how global brands can adapt and respond to local values in an era of heightened social consciousness.