Chick-fil-A, the beloved American fast-food chain known for its chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, and signature Southern hospitality, is going global by entering two new markets for the first time and in a major way.
While Chick-fil-A has a loyal following, one common complaint its international fans have voiced for years is the lack of Chick-fil-A restaurants outside North America, leaving them craving its food without access. That's about to change.
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In response to the growing global demand, Chick-fil-A has announced plans to open its first permanent international restaurants in the United Kingdom and Singapore in 2025.
Related: Chick-fil-A quietly adds pumpkin pie latte to its menu and customers are angry
New Chick-fil-A International Restaurants for 2025
- UK: Leeds, England, opening fall 2025
- Singapore: Singapore, Asia, opening late 2025
The Leeds restaurants will be the first of five planned locations in the UK over the next two years as part of a broader $100 million investment in the region.
In Singapore, the new restaurant marks the start of a $75 million investment to establish a long-term presence in Asia over the next decade.
“Expanding in both Europe and Asia is a meaningful milestone for Chick-fil-A,” said Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew T. Cathy in the announcement.
“The investments we’re making in the UK and Singapore not only present opportunities for our business, but are also a chance for us to bring what makes Chick-fil-A special to new places – great food and remarkable hospitality, our unique franchise model, and the positive impact we have in communities.”
Image source: Shutterstock
Chick-fil-A bets on hospitality and community to boost growth
Unlike many other global fast-food giants, Chick-fil-A has led its business with a slower but deliberate growth strategy.
Since its founding in 1946 in Hapeville, Georgia, Chick-fil-A has remained a family-owned company known for its closed-on-Sundays policy, which reflects its commitment to Southern hospitality and community values.
Today, Chick-fil-A operates over 3,100 restaurants, a much smaller footprint than McDonald's (MCD) , with over 38,000 locations in more than 100 countries.
However, Chick-fil-A has proven that size isn't everything; its steady expansion and high customer satisfaction show that focusing on quality and service pays off.
For the 11th year in a row, Chick-fil-A has been named the top quick-service restaurant in the U.S., earning a steady score of 83 in the American Customer Satisfaction Index, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index‘s 2025 Restaurant and Food Delivery Study.
Chick-fil-A's strategy to succeed internationally
A key component of Chick-fil-A‘s international strategy to remain true to its brand is its local owner-operator model.
Each new international restaurant will be run by small, independent business owners born and raised in the host countries, allowing Chick-fil-A to maintain its focus on community and Southern-style hospitality even when overseas.
The new UK and Singapore restaurant openings will generate 70-120 new jobs for local hires at each location, supporting Chick-fil-A‘s commitment to making a positive economic and social impact in the communities it enters.
Chick-fil-A's international expansion began with the opening of its first Canadian location in 2019. It now operates over 20 restaurants in Canada and plans to open five to seven more in British Columbia by 2030.
The company also entered Puerto Rico in 2022 and intends to open 20 to 25 new restaurants there by 2030.
Related: Forget pumpkin, Chick-fil-A shares bold new fall menu
