Shrewsbury has added a new high‑street and drive‑thru outlet after KFC and long‑standing franchise partner Gastronomy officially opened their 50th restaurant at Meole Brace on Monday, a development organisers say brings fresh employment opportunities and footfall to the town.
Local operator marks milestone in hometown
The Meole Brace site, opened in a ceremony that included senior representatives from KFC and Gastronomy as well as the town’s MP, represents a major landmark for the franchise operator which is based in Battlefield, Shrewsbury. Gastronomy has grown its estate across Wales, the Midlands, the North West and Shropshire over almost three decades and now employs around 1,500 people companywide.
The new restaurant occupies approximately 89.5 square metres, with provision for indoor dining and vehicle access. It features seating for 68 customers, dedicated drive‑thru lanes and delivery parking aimed at serving both walk‑in trade and customers using takeaway and delivery services.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Size | 89.5 m² |
| Indoor seats | 68 |
| Jobs created | 38 |
Jobs and community engagement
Gastronomy said the opening has generated 38 new roles spanning team member, team leader and management positions. That hiring drive follows the operator’s long association with the brand and its expansion beyond Shrewsbury into neighbouring regions.
- Roles created: 38 new positions across grades.
- Company headcount: around 1,500 employees across Gastronomy’s portfolio.
- Community activity at launch: giveaways, promotional activity and menu trials.
The launch day drew local interest with promotional giveaways, a cake‑cutting event and opportunities for diners to try returning and new items on KFC’s menu, including the fan‑favourite Dirty Louisiana range and the brand’s Tenders & Dips products. The company also deployed a mobile drinks station described as the Kwench Thirst Responder.
“We’re incredibly proud to be opening our 50th KFC restaurant here in our hometown of Shrewsbury. It’s a huge moment for everyone at Gastronomy and for the teams who have helped us grow from our first restaurant almost 30 years ago to where we are today. We’re excited to welcome customers through the doors at Meole Brace and to keep growing with KFC, creating more jobs and opportunities in the communities we serve.”
The statement came from Acky Khan, Gastronomy’s chief executive and founder, who underlined the symbolic significance of reaching a half‑century of outlets in his company’s home town. KFC’s UK management also praised the franchisee’s contribution to the brand’s expansion.
Economic and town centre implications
For Shrewsbury, the new restaurant will add to the retail and leisure mix in Meole Brace and is likely to affect local footfall patterns as well as the town’s broader hospitality offer. The combination of indoor seating, drive‑thru capability and delivery parking suggests a strategy aimed at capturing a wide range of customer demand, from families and commuters to delivery platforms.
Local residents and councillors will watch how the outlet performs in the coming months — in particular its impact on traffic flows at peak times and the contribution of the new jobs to the town’s labour market. Given Gastronomy’s roots in Shrewsbury, the opening is presented by the operator as a hometown success story rather than purely an external investment.
Further activity from Gastronomy is not detailed in the opening announcement, but the company’s near‑30‑year partnership with KFC indicates continued local involvement in the brand’s regional footprint.
