KFC eyes 5,400 more jobs by end-2020

Some of the jobs will be funded by the government’s Kickstart scheme.

Despite many of its 965 restaurants being in areas affected by the coronavirus, KFC said it plans to add 5,400 jobs in the UK and Ireland by the end of 2020.

Some jobs, the fast food company says, will be financed by the UK government's Kickstart scheme, which is designed to help young people.

"This year is going to be even more challenging for young people looking for job opportunities," said Paula Mackenzie, general manager at KFC for the UK and Ireland. "But we know that all the skills the hospitality sector teaches - the importance of hard work , delivering great service and working as part of a team - will hugely help them in the long run."

The government's Kickstart scheme pays employers £1,500 for every 16-24 year-old they train. It is aimed at young people who are on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.

The new posts, KFC said, will be in addition to the 4,300 new recruits they have taken on since the first lockdown in March.