The Rise of Fried Chicken on the British High Street

Travel around Britain today and one thing is impossible to miss: fried chicken is everywhere. From global brands rolling out their new casual dining eateries or their large retail park stores, to local independents on local High Streets, the UK’s love affair with fried chicken has reached a whole new level.

According to recent reporting from both BBC News and Sky News, chicken shops are now opening faster than any other type of fast-food outlet in the UK. And this isn’t a short-term fad. Driven by younger customers and their changing tastes, social media influence, and simple economics, it’s a fundamental shift in how Britain eats.

At Favorite Fried Chicken, we’ve been part of this journey for decades, four decades in fact! And today, the data, the culture, and the market conditions all point to one clear conclusion:

There has never been a better time to open a fried chicken business — especially with the right brand behind you.

The BBC recently highlighted how US-style fried chicken has become a cultural phenomenon among younger consumers. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have transformed fried chicken into visual, crave-driven content; crunchy coatings, innovative sauces, appealing burgers and sides that are winners.

This shift is measurable. Industry data shows that chicken shops grew by over 7% year-on-year, far outpacing other takeaway categories. More than half of Gen Z fast-food customers reported eating from a chicken shop in the past year; that’s a higher proportion than any other fast-food format.

In short:

• Younger customers are choosing chicken
• They’re eating it more often

That’s not a trend. That’s a long-term customer base.

Why Fried Chicken Makes Business Sense

Sky News recently explored why even global giants like KFC are facing increasing competition; not because the market is shrinking, but because it’s expanding rapidly.

There are strong commercial reasons behind fried chicken’s growth:

1. Chicken Is a Cost-Effective Protein

Compared to beef or fish, chicken offers better margin stability. As traditional fish and chip shops struggle with rising costs, many are diversifying into chicken to remain profitable.

2. Flexible Menus, Broad Appeal

From classic fried chicken to spicy wings, burgers, wraps, loaded fries and share boxes, chicken allows you to cater to:

• Families
• Students
• Late-night customers
• Delivery-first audiences

Few food categories offer this level of flexibility.

3. Repeat Custom

Fried chicken is not an occasional treat. Customers return weekly - sometimes multiple times a week - especially when quality, flavour and consistency are right.

A Changing Customer Wants More Than “Just Chicken”

The BBC article makes an important point: today’s customers are more discerning. They want crunch, flavour, variety, value and importantly, that consistency and authenticity that comes with a Branded offering.

This is where many new entrants struggle.

The UK fried chicken market is crowded, but not all brands are created equal. As analysts note, advertising spend and scale alone don’t guarantee loyalty. Customers quickly move on if quality drops or the experience feels generic.

That’s why strong, established brands with proven systems are winning. You do not just simply just get into the chicken-space and hope that the chicken does the work. You need the confidence that as well as the chicken, everything else is doing the equal heavy-lifting both front of house and operationally behind the scenes.

Where Favorite Fried Chicken Stands Apart

Favorite Chicken has been serving communities across the UK for 40 years. We’re not chasing trends, we’ve grown with our customers.

Our model works because it balances three critical things:

1. A Recognisable, Trusted Brand

Customers know what they’re getting with Favorite. That trust translates directly into footfall, especially in new locations.

2. A Menu That Evolves With Taste

From classic fried chicken to modern favourites, our menu reflects what today’s customers actually want long-term, not just what’s fashionable this month.

3. A Franchise Model Built for Real Operators

We support franchisees with:

• Proven store formats
• Central buying power
• Marketing support
• Operational training
• Ongoing product development

In a crowded market, execution matters more than hype.

Independent Passion Meets Proven Systems

One of the most interesting insights from the BBC piece is that independent operators can still thrive, when they get it right. But many also fail due to lack of structure, rising costs, or inconsistent quality.

That’s the gap Favorite Chicken fill perfectly.

You get the entrepreneurial upside of a growing market, combined with the stability and systems of an established brand. You’re not experimenting, you’re building on a model and network of proven stores that already works.

Why Now Is the Moment to Open a Fried Chicken Franchise

Let’s be clear about timing:

• Fried chicken demand is growing
• Younger customers are driving long-term consumption
• Delivery platforms are mature and scalable
• Traditional takeaways are declining or diversifying
• Prime sites are becoming available

Waiting doesn’t reduce risk; it often increases it.

The franchisees who succeed are the ones who enter before markets become saturated, with a brand that customers already trust.

Bringing Favorite Chicken to Your Area

Every town, suburb and city has demand for great fried chicken. The question isn’t if customers will buy it; it’s where they’ll choose to buy it from.

With Favorite Chicken, you’re offering:

• A product people already love
• A brand they recognise
• A business model designed for the realities of today’s high street

Fried chicken isn’t going anywhere and if you’re thinking about opening a fried chicken shop in your area, now is the time — and Favorite Fried Chicken is ready to help you do it right.

ARE YOU Ready to Take the Next Step? WANT MORE INFORMATION?

Whether you have a site in mind or just want to learn more about how our franchise works, we’re here to help you get started.

Contact us today to find out more.