An American fast food chain branded ‘better than KFC’ is set to open in the UK as it confirms plans to launch hundreds of locations across Europe.
Church’s Texas Chicken currently operates 1,400 sites across 22 countries and is now ‘setting its sights on the UK’.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the chain first opened in 1952 and has hundreds of locations across the US.
It specialises in fried chicken and offers a menu similar to KFC but with iconic American dishes such as biscuits and gravy.
In a statement, the group confirmed it is exploring new locations in the UK, France, Italy and Spain.
‘We are experiencing tremendous growth both domestically and internationally, with Europe playing a key role in our expansion strategy,’ said Roland Gonzalez, CEO of Church’s Texas Chicken.
‘The European QSR market is evolving rapidly, driven by a growing demand for convenience and quick-service restaurant options. We see huge potential to bring the Texas Chicken experience to new guests across the continent and this is just the beginning.’
The company has opened 60 new locations worldwide over the past year and plans to launch more than 900 additional venues in the coming years.
New restaurants are already in the works for Germany, Hungary, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Morocco.
The fast food restaurant has become popular on TikTok, with food influencers and mukbangers frequently featuring it in their videos.
Some have described it as being on par with Filipino fast food chain Jollibee – and even better than KFC.
Last year, Church’s Texas Chicken was sued by rival KFC over a marketing campaign that used the phrase ‘original recipe’ – a term trademarked by KFC.
Despite the (now settled) legal clash, the comparisons between the two chains have continued online, with many foodies insisting Church’s chicken comes out on top.
One customer wrote on Reddit: ‘I gotta say it was the best fast food fried chicken I’ve had in a long time.
‘Better than Popeyes and KFC..the biscuits, sides, everything was just way better.’
Another wrote: ‘Church’s is HELLA underrated. Super good food for an affordable price.’
The chain is also known for jalapeño poppers – with customers squeezing the juice onto their chicken – and mashed potatoes loaded with gravy, perfect for dunking wings. Sweet tea is also a fan favourite.
Church’s is one of several US fast food giants ramping up its presence in the UK. Chick-fil-A, another American favourite, announced it will return to the UK this year.
Carl’sJr, a US food chain known for its chargrilled burgers, opened its first-ever UK restaurant in Cardiff yesterday [April 3], and is set to roll out 100 UK sites in the next four years.
Meanwhile, Louisiana fried chicken chain Popeyes said it would open a new store every week in the UK in 2025.
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