The UK is home to more than 1,450 McDonald’s restaurants, over 1,000 KFC locations, and just under 600 Burger King sites.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fast food here, as numerous other chains have set up shop over the last few years.
So many brands have come over that now, nearly one in two chains in the UK are from the US, with American brands accounting for 44% of all fast-food visits in 2025.
And the influx isn’t over yet; it seems it’s only just begun, as several more iconic businesses have set their sights on launching here.
We’re going to keep track of all the US fast food chains coming to the UK and will be updating this list as and when new ones are announced.
Here are all the American brands planning to launch in the UK soon…
Raising Cane’s
The cult US favourite announced its UK flagship location will be opening in late 2026 at 21-22 Coventry Street in London (between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square).
This opening will mark the beginning of a global expansion, with more restaurants planned for the capital and Europe in the months that follow.
Other potential locations they’re eyeing up include The Strand, Oxford Circus, Paddington, and South Bank, as well as Drive-Thru locations in Greater London and beyond.
The menu is pretty straightforward, with just five core items, including Crispy Chicken Fingers, Craveable Cane’s Sauce, Buttery Cane’s Toast, Crunchy Coleslaw and Crispy crinkle-cut fries.
Magnolia Bakery
If you’re a Sex and the City fan, you’ll be all too familiar with Magnolia Bakery, as its cupcakes featured in an iconic episode of the show. But cupcakes aren’t what the chain is best known for – that would be the famous banana pudding. This features fresh bananas, vanilla wafers and vanilla pudding and is a quintessential American dessert.
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No official plan has been shared for the bakery’s launch here; however, the brand has confirmed that ‘the time is right’ for them to enter the UK.
Rick Raison, the brand’s vice-president of international and development sales, told Propel that they are currently ‘assessing strategic options for entry’ and looking for a ‘long-term franchise partnership across the UK’.
Why are so many American fast food brands coming to the UK now?
James Hacon from Think Hospitality told The Times that investors are ‘favouring proven concepts over risky start-ups’ and with many empty high street units, the UK is an ‘attractive launchpad’ for big brands.
It also helps that during a cost-of-living crisis, many people are looking for ‘affordable and familiar products’, such as fried chicken.
Vhari Russell, a food industry specialist and founder of The Food Marketing Experts, explains: It’s a lower-risk source of protein when costs are high and customers are cautious,’ she says. ‘It’s also perceived as being slightly “healthier” than beef or pork, so it appeals across demographics.’
As such, chicken chains in the UK have been thriving and the market has become crowded as more and more try to cash in on the demand.
Social media is also partly to blame, giving fast food ‘status’, making it hype-worthy, meme-friendly and craveable.
And celebs fuel this by posting about chains and being papped eating at them. It’s no secret that Drake, Usher and Samuel L. Jackson are all Dave’s Hot Chicken fans. Travis Kelce, Cynthia Erivo, Post Malone, and Snoop Dogg have also all been seen eating at Raising Cane’s, while Beyoncé and Jay-Z are thought to have served Popeyes at their wedding.
He added: ‘While we don’t have a confirmed timeline yet, London is naturally a compelling entry point given its international profile.
‘Long-term, we would expect a measured, city-led expansion strategy in the UK, focusing on high-footfall urban locations, premium retail destinations and select neighbourhood sites where the brand can thrive.’
Chili’s
Specialising in Tex-Mex cuisine, Chili’s is a casual dining chain founded in Texas in 1975. On its menu, you’ll find everything from crispy chicken to a full rack of ribs, fajitas, burgers, salad, and soup.
It’s still very early days, but the chain has confirmed it’s looking to enter the UK and is seeking franchise partners to help make this happen.
And like Magnolia Bakery, Chili’s had its starring moment in an iconic US show, with it being the host location for the Dundies awards in the second season of the American version of The Office.
If Chili’s does open here, it won’t be the first time the chain has existed in the UK, as it used to have locations here in the 90s and 00s in places such as Cambridge and Reading.
Chuck E Cheese
Often hailed as a ‘children’s paradise’ and a ‘child casino’, Chuck E Cheese is a legendary spot in the US for birthday parties.
As well as serving up pizza, chicken wings, fries, and confetti cake, each restaurant also boasts arcade games (such as bowling, basketball and console games), live shows and rides.
A multi-unit agreement has been reached to bring the chain to the UK, with Wright Property appointed to oversee the expansion plan, with areas such as Leeds, Milton Keynes, and Birmingham potential targets. Glasgow, Manchester, and Bristol could also be possibilities.
Denny’s
Did you know the American diner chain is already in the UK? And it’s actually been here since 2017. There’s one single Denny’s to be found in Swansea, at Parc Tawe, serving up pancakes, waffles, French toast, burgers and more.
Towards the end of 2025, it was revealed that a major expansion across the UK was being considered, after building up a strong customer base in Swansea.
The chain said it would be looking into potential locations in city centres, airports, and service stations, but no further update has been given as of yet.
Chick-fil-A
The controversial American chain, known for its chicken sandwich, waffle fries and sauces, recently set up shop in Kingston, Leeds and Belfast.
And the brand is said to be actively looking to continue expanding beyond these initial sites, with a plan to invest $100m in the UK over the next decade.
Chick-fil-A previously opened a restaurant in The Oracle shopping centre in Reading in 2019. However, the site closed after a six-month trial period following customer backlash over donations made to anti-LGBT groups.
Popeyes
Popeyes has been growing its presence in the UK since first launching here in 2021. It now has a whopping 110 sites and was recently named Europe’s fastest-growing food and beverage brand by the Financial Times.
And the Louisiana chicken chain has no plans to slow down any time soon. CEO Tom Crowley said: ‘We look forward to building on this momentum in 2026 as we continue expanding to new locations.’
Upcoming launches include St Helens, Hull, Dublin, Liverpool, and a second site in Bristol.
Dave’s Hot Chicken
Since opening its first site on Shaftesbury Avenue in December 2024, Dave’s has gone on to bring its Nashville-style hot chicken to several other spots, including Birmingham and Manchester.
And it’s just announced its first Welsh store will be launching on April 3, but with a different name. Instead of Dave’s, it’ll be David’s Hot Chicken launching in Cardiff, to pay homage to the Patron Saint of Wales.
As they continue to expand across Wales, they’re also considering rebranding sites as Dayfdd Hot Chicken or Dai’s Hot Chicken.
A source confirmed the name David will be in place at the Cardiff brand for the ‘forseeable’.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s was another US brand that arrived in the UK at the tail end of the pandemic and has been gradually expanding.
There are currently around 50 sites across the UK in London, Liverpool, Brighton, Glasgow and Reading, with new sites planned to open soon.
The chain, known for its square-shaped burgers, just launched in Dundee and has plans to open in Norfolk soon, too.
Taco Bell
Also, continuing to launch new sites is the Mexican-inspired Taco Bell.
Currently, there are 23 locations across the South West, Midlands and Wales, but they’ve got a plan to launch up to 12 new sites a year, with a goal to have more than 50 by 2029.
The next round of locations will be targeting the M4 and M5 corridors, plus further locations in Wales.
Which US chain are you most excited for?
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Magnolia Bakery
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Raising Cane's
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Chili's
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Denny's
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Chuck E Cheese
Carl’s Jr.
This time last year, Carl’s Jr. set up shop in Cardiff, bringing its chargrilled burgers, ice cream milkshakes and brownies to the UK.
This is currently the chain’s only location, but it has shared plans to have more than 100 sites nationwide by 2029.
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