KFC plots US$136M pledge to enhance British chicken sourcing

UK – KFC UK & Ireland is making a major commitment to homegrown produce, announcing plans to increase its annual spending on British chicken to nearly £100 million (US$136 million).

This significant investment, driven by sourcing popular chicken wings domestically for the first time, aims to strengthen UK supply chains and elevate animal welfare standards.

A Wing and a Promise: Boosting Domestic Supply to 35%

The move will see the proportion of chicken sourced from British farms for KFC’s UK and Ireland operations rise to 35% by the end of this year.

This translates to roughly 82,700 metric tonnes annually.

A key driver is the landmark decision to procure chicken wings, one of its most popular items, with over 164 million sold last year, from British farmers.

This shift alone necessitates an additional £10 million (US$13.6 million) in annual expenditure. The fast-food giant is executing this change through an expanded partnership with UK poultry processor 2 Sisters Food Group.

However, KFC noted that boneless chicken breast will continue to be imported, as current UK production cannot meet the full volume of customer demand.

Raising the Bar on Welfare Standards

Alongside the financial investment, KFC is implementing higher welfare standards across its British poultry supply chain.

All UK-sourced chicken will now be reared at a maximum stocking density of 30kg per square metre.

This provides birds with approximately 20% more space than the standard industry requirement.

The company confirmed that all British chicken comes from farms meeting independently verified standards, supported through its partnerships with suppliers like 2 Sisters Food Group and Pilgrim’s Europe.

A Strategic Investment in UK Agriculture’s Future

The initiative responds to growing public and commercial pressure for food businesses to reinforce domestic supply chains and address production ethics.

Ranjit Singh, President of 2 Sisters Food Group, hailed the increased sourcing as “a positive and important investment in the future of UK agriculture,” supporting farmers in meeting consumer expectations for quality and high welfare.

For KFC, this strategic pivot enhances supply chain resilience, strengthens its brand reputation regarding sourcing ethics, and aligns with broader industry trends toward greater transparency and local procurement in the competitive QSR sector.

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