Business · 28 January 2026
Could KFC Be Dethroned? UK Chicken Shops Boom as Rivals Circle
Photo by Maxime Lebrun on Unsplash
The UK’s fried chicken market is exploding, with rapidly growing competitors like Popeyes, Wingstop and Dave’s Hot Chicken challenging KFC’s longstanding dominance. Industry analysts say younger consumers, social-media-driven trends and diverse menus have fuelled a boom in chicken shops across high streets, outpacing other fast-food segments. While KFC still leads with over 1,040 outlets and robust sales, rivals are expanding aggressively and bringing fresh competition to the sector.
Reported by Sky News · How we write briefs