Chick-fil-A will invest $1 billion to create an international presence for its signature chicken sandwich.
The quick service restaurant (QSR) announced its intent to open restaurants in Europe and Asia by 2026, with locations in five international markets by 2030.
“We feel like it’s time to continue to innovate and try [to] test how we will do in international markets so that we can learn,” CEO Andrew Cathy told the Wall Street Journal.
The QSR operates more than 2,600 locations across 47 U.S. states, Canada and Puerto Rico.
A previous attempt in 2019 to open a Chick-fil-A in the United Kingdom was short-lived following protests by gay rights advocates about past statements from former chief executive, Dan Cathy.
The new locations have not been announced yet, but Cathy said that they are looking for “countries in Asia and Europe with stable economies, dense populations and a demand for chicken.”
Other Chick-fil-A innovation
Chick-fil-A, best known for it’s chicken sandwiches, recently unveiled a “one-of-a-kind” plant-forward Cauliflower Sandwich.
The sandwich, made with a tender filet cut from a whole, real cauliflower, is the first plant-based food item on the quick service chain’s menu. The cauliflower is marinated, breaded with a signature seasoning, pressure-cooked and served on a toasted buttery bun with two dill pickle chips.
Tests of the plant-forward sandwich will run for a limited time in Denver, Charleston, South Carolina and North Carolina’s Greensboro-Triad region. It will retail for $6.59.
In January, the brand also announced that it would be expanding its virtual chicken brand, Little Blue Menu, into College Park, Maryland. The delivery-focused channel offers smoked, roasted and traditional bone-in wings, classic fried chicken, five different burger items, waffle or traditional fries and a variety of other sides.
Despite the recent announcements, there are still no plans to sell chicken wings at brick-and-mortar locations, a disappointment to some consumers.
