KFC plans to invest £1.5bn in UK and Ireland, creating thousands of jobs

Fast-food chain's plan on back of booming fried chicken market includes opening 500 new restaurants

KFC is to invest almost 1.5bn and create thousands of jobs in the UK and Ireland over the next five years, as the fast-food chain seeks to capitalise on the booming popularity of fried chicken.

The chain, which is celebrating its 60th year of operations in the UK, said it plans to invest 1.49bn to grow and upgrade its existing 1,000-outlet estate.