KFC - the world’s largest chicken restaurant, will open its first outlet in Leeds city centre at the Merrion Shopping Centre on Friday 25 November at 11am.

First through the door will be Richard Williams from Birkenshaw, one of KFCs biggest fans, who has been invited as a guest of honour, having waited years for this moment.

KFC fan Richard Williams, who originally wrote to the company back in 2009, said: “In my letter to the Colonel in 2009 I asked why Leeds - a big, historic city centre, a top student destination, and much more had no KFC.  Now we have one, Christmas has come early and KFC has put the ‘K’ into Khristmas for me. I am over the moon to be the first customer.  Fans of the secret recipe will be delighted, and the name of the Merrion Centre - such a great servant to Leeds shoppers - will be on everybody's lips. As will the fab taste of KFC."
 
The new 62 seat restaurant, operated by KFC franchise Chicken Cabins Ltd, will open seven days a week from 10am until 2am, Sunday to Thursday, and until 4am on Friday and Saturday. The Leeds outlet will sell all of KFC’s famous menu items, including the Bargain Bucket and Zinger Burgers, as well as new favourites like Brazer, Krushems and the Streetwise snack menu.

David George, Operations Manager or Chicken Cabins Ltd, said: “We know our fans in Leeds have been waiting a long time for this moment, and I’m delighted that Richard will be here to mark the occasion. As well as bringing delicious food to the city centre, the new restaurant has created jobs with great career prospects for local people, and we’re really looking forward to welcoming shoppers and residents to the restaurant.”
 
The Merrion Street side of the Merrion Centre has just undergone a major refurbishment which has been undertaken by property investment and development company , Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), who own and manage the one million sq ft Merrion Shopping Centre in Leeds city centre.

Helen Beckett, Associate Director at Town Centre Securities PLC who own and manage the Merrion Centre said: “I know that the public has been keen to see a KFC restaurant open in Leeds city centre for many years and the Merrion Centre is delighted to have finally achieved this.  Not only is this the first KFC for Leeds but it is also the first fast food offer at the Merrion Centre.  We very much see KFC complementing our existing lunch and dinner offer which includes well-known local brands such as Fuji Hiro, Nosh, Caffechino and Lilys as well as national multiples such as Costa and Crown Carveries.”

For more information on the Merrion Centre visit www.merrioncentre.co.uk.  For more information on TCS visit www.tcs-plc.com. For information on KFC visit www.kfc.co.uk.

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