Fast food giant with 3k US sites returns to UK with first restaurant opening this month – and it won’t be the last

A FAST food giant with over 3,000 US locations has revealed when it will make a much-anticipated return to the UK.

Chick-fil-A is opening the first of five restaurants this month – but it won’t be open seven days a week like most chains.

The famous fried chicken brand revealed exclusively to The Sun in September that it would launch in Northern Ireland, Leeds, Liverpool, and London.

The chain briefly touched down with a temporary pop-up in Reading back in 2019.

Excited diners have just a matter of days to go before they can finally taste the fast-food chain loved by Americans.

Its first site in Northern Ireland will open towards the end of the month.

The restaurant will open inside an Applegreen service station in Lisburn, County Antrim, on the Lisburn South motorway.

The petrol station provider already has a partnership with Chick-fil-A restaurants in the US.

A second site in Applegreen Templepatrick, Antrim, will open soon after in March.

Excited locals in the area have already shared their joy ahead of the opening.

One said: “So excited for this. Had my first one last year.”

While a second person said they were “absolutely buzzing for this”, and a third said it was a “dream come true”.

The Sun has contacted Chick-fil-A to find out the exact date of the five openings across the UK and will update the piece once we hear back.

The fast food chain is best known for its chicken sandwiches and iconic waffle fries.

The Sun had a chance to try its menu ahead of its opening in the UK, which you can check out here.

But those keen to swing by the fast food joint on the weekend should be aware of its unique trading hours.

In the US, Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays because of the strict Christian beliefs of its deceased founder, Truett Cathy.

And this rule will still apply once the brand opens in the UK.

US FAST-FOOD COMING TO THE UK

Chick-fil-A is not the only US brand that is looking to carve out a spot in the UK market.

Last week, Carl’s Jr said it would open it first site in the UK come April.

The site, which will cater for 50 customers at a time, is being launched by the Boparan Restaurant Group.

Posting on Reddit, one branded the fast food giant “better than most, including McDonald’s and Burger King“.

Another said: “The Western Bacon Cheeseburger is undefeated.”

Family entertainment and dining centre Chuck E Cheese is also reportedly planning to launch six branches across England and Scotland.

Dave’s Hot Chicken opened its first location in the UK late last year.

The brand, famed for its jumbo chicken slider, launched on London’s Shaftesbury Avenue back in November.

Tex-Mex brand Velvet Taco will also make its UK debut next spring.

Popeyes entered the UK market in 2021 and has proved to be a hit with ravenous customers ever since.

US burger chain Wendy’s, which already has 31 sites in the UK, will also cut the ribbon on eight new locations this year.

The chain returned to the UK high street in 2021 after a 20-year hiatus.

Wingstop currently operates 56 sites across the UK and will open 15 more in 2024.

Lemon Pepper Holdings, which runs the fast food chain’s UK portfolio, said the move would create up to 750 jobs.

The US hospitality brand said it is its biggest year of expansion since launching Wingstop in the UK six years ago.