Global forecourt and convenience retail operator EG Group has acquired the largest KFC franchise in the UK & Ireland from Belfast-headquartered, The Herbert Group.
The deal includes 146 KFC Restaurants and 1 Pizza Hut Store, as well as a development pipeline and a small number of non-trading sites.
The acquisition means the Blackburn-based EG Group now operates over 1,500 food-to-go retail concessions across ten international markets including the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, Germany, the US, and Australia.
Zuber Issa, Founder and Co-CEO of the EG Group, said: “Securing The Herbert Group portfolio is well aligned to our long-term strategic growth plans and builds on our commitment to grow the EG Group’s presence in the food-to-go retail convenience segment.
“The Herbert Group portfolio is a great strategic addition and complements our expanding operations in the United Kingdom and furthermore, now allows us entry into the Irish market.”
He stated that the company would be investing in the outlets it has acquired, whilst opening new restaurants.
Paula McKenzie, General Manager at KFC UK & Ireland, commented: ”We’re pleased that EG Group have acquired these restaurants – it shows confidence in investing in KFC and comes at an exciting time for our brand, off the back of unprecedented sales growth in 2020 so far.
“The acquisition demonstrates EG Group’s ability to be a partner of choice and we’re looking forward to supporting them as they unlock further investment and growth in the years ahead.”
