EG Group acquires 52 KFC restaurants from Amsric

Leading forecourt operator EG Group has announced the acquisition of 52 KFC restaurants in the UK from Amsric Group.

The Blackburn-based group is already the largest franchisee in Western Europe for the KFC brand, and will operate over 220 KFC restaurants in Europe and the UK post-completion of the deal.

“Acquiring the Amsric portfolio further strengthens our customer proposition and is highly complementary to our existing operations, and our long-term growth plans for our foodservice business,” Mohsin Issa and Zuber Issa, co-founders and co-CEOs of EG Group, said.

“The KFC brand has continued to grow in recent years due to its focus on changing customer needs and brand positioning. Even during the pandemic, KFC moved quickly to assess and adapt in order to embrace the rapidly evolving environment. We have seen a marked upward trend in the performance of our existing KFC network and this has given us confidence to consider and invest in more assets.”

The acquired network, across the south and south-west regions, comprises more than 1,600 team members and a mix of drive thru and traditional restaurant formats. Issas said they would work with the Amsric management team and KFC to ensure a smooth transition for the teams and an effectively managed transfer of operations and assets.

Ragin Patel, managing director of Amsric Group, said: “We are pleased to be selling our KFC business to EG Group. As a family-managed business, we take a people-first approach and wanted to ensure our KFC network went to a new owner who is committed to investing in the network and allowing our employees to realise opportunities for professional growth.

“Our first priority is to make sure our team members are well supported through the transition and ensure there is minimal disruption to our guests.”

Paula MacKenzie, General Manager of KFC UK & Ireland, added: “Firstly, I would like to thank Ragin and the Patel family for all their hard work, and their longstanding support of our brand.

“EG Group’s commitment to investing not only in the existing restaurants, but also in growth through the development of new locations reinforces the strength of our brand, and of KFC as a world-class franchisor.

“We are confident that EG Group’s expertise, focus on their people and depth of connection to our brand will yield tremendous success and continued growth.”

EG Group is increasingly being recognised as a major foodservice operator, operating more than 1,700 foodservice concessions. In May 2020, they acquired the largest KFC franchise in the UK and Ireland from the Herbert Group, comprising 146 KFC restaurants and one Pizza Hut Store.

Earlier this year, they acquired major fast food chain Leon Restaurants. The foodservice brand portfolio operated by EG Group also includes brands such as Starbucks, Burger King, Greggs, Sbarro, Cinnabon and Subway.