US fast food chain KFC has said it plans to create 7,000 new jobs in the UK and Ireland with an investment of €1.77 billion over the next five years. Ireland-specific job numbers were not available.

Much of the investment will go toward opening new restaurants as well as drive-throughs in “key locations” in Ireland and north west England where it has identified strong potential for growth.

The new jobs will be created in its supply chain, accounting for €695 million of the total outlay. They will be a combination of customer-facing, kitchen-based and management jobs as well as a newly created “guest experience lead role” tasked with improving customer experience.

The investment forms part of KFC’s ambition to “become the fastest growing restaurant brand for the next generation”, with a further 500 restaurants planned over the next decade. Chicken, gravy and salad supplies are all to be sourced from companies across the UK.

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Rob Swain, general manager of KFC UK & Ireland, said the company had been serving customers in the UK for 60 years. “We’re doubling down on our commitment to the UK&I with a major investment in our restaurants, and in the suppliers who have been so crucial to our success.”