KFC Makes Big Plans Across The Pond

The British press reports that KFC Corp. will open more than 40 new restaurants in the United Kingdom and Ireland this year, which would take the chain to nearly 900 restaurants in those countries by year’s end.

The expansion plans, first reported by the Guardian newspaper, would create about 1,600 jobs. The Yum! Brands division plans to spend about $60 million on the expansion. A similar amount is budgeted for remodeling 160 existing outlets.

KFC made its debut in Britain in 1965. The Louisville, Ky., chain has 17,000 stores in 115 countries.