KFC has opened a new drive-thru restaurant at Monks Cross Shopping Park in York, UK, adding another location to its UK network as the fried chicken chain advances its expansion plans with established franchise partners.
Operated by The Adil Group, a long-standing KFC franchise partner, the new restaurant creates 40 jobs across team member, team leader and management positions. The site features seating for 64 customers, four digital ordering kiosks, parking for 15 vehicles and a dedicated waiting area for delivery drivers. It is also among the first KFC restaurants in the UK to feature the brand’s latest restaurant design.
The restaurant serves KFC’s core fried chicken menu alongside its Tenders & Dips range, limited-edition Mozzamelt products, including the Mozzamelt Burger and Mozza Dipping Feast, and drinks from its Kwench range. Customers can choose to dine in, use the drive-thru or order for delivery.
The opening marks another step in The Adil Group’s expansion with KFC. The franchise operator acquired its first 11 KFC restaurants across Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire in 2004 and has since built a substantial multi-site business. The group had a portfolio of 113 KFC restaurants at the time of the report, with the Monks Cross opening marking its third KFC launch of 2026, following openings in Ashford and Acton.
The group’s wider KFC portfolio has also grown through acquisitions. A separate transaction involving 22 restaurants previously operated by fellow franchisee 1st Rate expanded its estate further, with legal adviser Freeths reporting that the deal took its KFC network to 135 restaurants. The figures reflect different stages of the group’s expansion and should not be treated as a single current outlet count without further confirmation.
Dan Marshall, Head of Franchise Operations at KFC UK & Ireland, said the opening demonstrated the brand’s commitment to its growth ambitions and highlighted the importance of franchise partnerships in bringing KFC to more communities.
Raja Adil, CEO of The Adil Group, said the opening represented another important step in the group’s growth, creating employment opportunities and strengthening its presence in local communities.
The York restaurant forms part of KFC’s £1.5 billion investment plan for the UK and Ireland, announced during the brand’s 60th anniversary celebrations in 2025. The programme includes plans to open 500 new restaurants over the following decade and support the creation of more than 7,000 jobs across the business and its supply chain. The investment also encompasses improvements to existing restaurants.
Alongside the opening, KFC plans to support the local community through daily litter picks around the restaurant and donations of surplus food to community kitchens through its partnership with The Felix Project.
The Monks Cross launch underlines the role of experienced franchise operators in KFC’s UK growth strategy, combining new restaurant development with investment in updated formats, digital ordering and local employment.
