Chick-fil-A has been a breakout star in the U.S. restaurant sector for years but is now looking to spread its wings to global markets. The College Park, Georgia-based restaurant company is preparing to open its first permanent international locations in the United Kingdom and Singapore in 2025. The launches represent the company’s commitment to establishing an international presence beyond North America, with a particular focus on Europe and Asia.
In the U.K., the chain’s first restaurant will open in Leeds sometime this autumn, with another five planned openings spaced over two years and backed by an investment of over $100 million over the next decade. Similarly, Chick-fil-A aims to introduce its Southern-inspired dining experience to Singapore before the end of 2025, projecting a ten-year investment of $75 million in that market. Chick-fil-A’s overall international plans are ambitious, with a $1 billion investment and a goal to enter five global markets by 2030, including Canada and Puerto Rico,
The global expansion strategy will be focused on a locally owned and operated franchise model, enabling the brand to integrate into each new community while maintaining standards of quality, service, and hospitality.
Chick-fil-A’s roots trace back to the 1946 opening of Dwarf Grill by S. Truett Cathy in Atlanta, eventually rebranding as Chick-fil-A in 1967 to highlight the signature chicken fillet sandwich. Over decades, the brand has distinguished itself through its focus on quality, hospitality, and a streamlined menu centered on chicken dishes. The unique “closed on Sunday” policy, rooted in the founder’s values, sets it apart in the fast-food industry but could also be an obstacle to the company ever going public. Today, Chick-fil-A operates over 3,200 locations in the United States. Major competitors in the crowded U.S. quick-service market include KFC (NYSE:YUM), McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD), Burger King (QSR), Wendy’s (WEN), Popeyes (QSR), Wingstop (NASDAQ:WING), Raising Cane’s, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Zaxby’s, Bojangles, and Taco Bell (NYSE:YUM).