Lifestyle

FAST-FOOD chain KFC is opening a swathe of new branches around the UK over the next three months, the Sun has learned.

The beloved fried chicken shop, which has just over 1,000 outlets in the UK, confirmed it is set to unveil ten new branches by early next year.

Five new stores will open before the end of this year, while the remaining five will open early in the New Year.

It comes as part of a wider plan to open up to 500 new KFC restaurants around the country over the long term.

The chain is targeting new sites including two new drive-thru restaurants in Reading, a high street store on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, an outlet at Stansted Airport and drive thru restaurants in Stratford-Upon-Avon and Stroud.

It is also hoping to open drive thru stores on a number of A roads including on the A3 at Cobham, the A64 near Tadcaster and on the A421 between Milton Keynes and Bedford.

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This latest round of openings will target Moto service stations on motorways around the country, stretching up to Northumberland in the north and down to Kent in the southeast.

The new restaurants planned to open in the next few months are:

  • Birch East – December
  • Hilton Park North – December
  • Lancaster North – December
  • Thurrock – December
  • Medway – December
  • Grantham – New Year
  • Southwaite North (Carlisle) – New Year
  • Chieveley – New Year
  • Washington South – New Year
  • Frankley North – New Year

A spokesperson for KFC said: "We strive to reach as many of our loyal fans as possible, which is why we're so excited to confirm these five new restaurants opening this year – as well as five more in the New Year.

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"We can't wait to get settled in these local areas and bring many new jobs to those communities too."

Last week, KFC launched its festive menu for this year including the Stuffing Stacker Burger, which sells for £7.99, and the Stuffing Tower Burger, available for £6.49.

Customers will be able to bag the two new burgers at their nearest KFC branch or via delivery until January 1 next year.

You can find your nearest KFC restaurant by using its "find a KFC" tool on its website – just enter your postcode or nearest town/city.

KFC isn't the only fast-food chain rapidly expanding this year.

We revealed in September that US-based chain Dunkin' Donuts is planning to double its branches in the UK from 30 to 60 over the next two years.

Restaurant giant Lounge is also set to open another seven restaurants by January including in Hexham and Ashby-de-la-Zouch, adding to its portfolio of around 200 outlets.

And bakery giant Greggs is aiming to open 150 new stores in this financial year as part of a plan to grow to more than 3,000 outlets around the UK.

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