A brand new flagship KFC has opened on Dublin’s Grafton Street.
Dublin’s Grafton Street(Image: Collins)
Grafton Street is one of the busiest shopping streets in Dublin, and while it’s known for its retail and street performers, it’s also a hotspot for dining – offering a mix of cafes, casual eateries and sit down restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets.
And now, Dubliners and visitors alike have a brand new reason to stop on this iconic street as a flagship KFC restaurant has opened its doors – and it’s unlike anything the city has seen before.
The fast food spot, which officially opened today, January 15, sits right in the heart of Grafton Street and spans 301 square metres across two floors.
Designed for sit down diners as well as those who want to grab and go, the restaurant features 65 seats for eating in alongside digital ordering kiosks, and will serve up KFC’s full menu of fried chicken favourites.
The restaurant represents a €1.1 million investment and is expected to create more than 80 new jobs.
Rob Swain, General Manager of KFC UK and Ireland, said: “Grafton Street is symbol of Dublin’s energy and ambition, so it’s fitting that this is where we open our new flagship restaurant in Ireland. This restaurant will play a central role in our plan to open 25 new restaurants and create more than 800 additional jobs across Ireland in the coming years.
KFC open flagship restaurant on Grafton Street(Image: www.cloud9.photos)
“I’m incredibly proud of the team who have built this restaurant from the ground up, delivering a space that reflects both KFC’s modern brand and the character of one of Europe’s most famous streets.”
The interiors of the new restaurant are just as striking as its location and are unlike any other KFC in the city.
KFC open flagship restaurant on Grafton Street(Image: www.cloud9.photos)
Dan Foster, Region Coach at KFC Ireland, explained the design approach, saying: “We wanted to do something really special for Grafton Street and treat the building, and the street itself, with the respect they deserve. We added bespoke, period-inspired touches – from mouldings and tiles to a gallery-style staircase and custom-made furniture, including a statement table made from recycled materials.
“It’s a space that feels rooted in Dublin’s history, but still very much KFC, and it shows how serious we are about opening great restaurants in historic locations.”
KFC open flagship restaurant on Grafton Street(Image: www.cloud9.photos)
This opening comes as KFC plans another 25 restaurants across Ireland over the next five years, creating around 820 new jobs.
KFC already operates 34 restaurants nationwide, employing nearly 1,000 people, and has invested over €1.2 million over the past 12 months in upgrading existing restaurants in Newbridge, Sligo and Blanchardstown Centre.
The company is also participating in its food donation programme in partnership with Dublin-born non-profit FoodCloud, which redistributes surplus food to community causes in Ireland and the UK.
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