Everyone’s favourite US chicken chain, Chick-fil-A, has exciting plans to return to British shores. The fast-food giant, which launched and closed a branch in Reading within six months back in 2019, announced its intentions for a grand comeback.

In a bold move, Chick-fil-A revealed plans to open five “locally owned and operated restaurants” across the UK from early 2025. With over 2,800 branches in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada alone, this popular chicken sandwich chain promises great things for food fanatics here in Blighty.

• The exact launch sites have yet to be confirmed but locations are being closely evaluated across all corners of the UK.
• Each new restaurant will create between 80 and 120 jobs – an excellent boost for local employment opportunities.
• A whopping £76 million investment (the equivalent of $100m) is planned over the next decade as part of their expansion process.
• Farm-to-table enthusiasts will be thrilled; all chicken will hail from farms right here in the UK or Ireland! A great win for sustainability measures within fast-food operations.

Despite its brief stay previously amid backlash from LGBT activists due its reported support towards anti-LGBT rights groups, Chick-fil-A is set on making amends with this new venture. Anita Costello, Chief International Officer at Chick-fil-A expressed her excitement about bringing new jobs and opportunities throughout the UK as part of their community-focused enterprise ethos.

This mighty American chain’s return surely adds some extra ‘spice’ into Britain’s ever-growing fast food market! Keep your eyes peeled for these red-and-white themed restaurants near you in the coming years.

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Action on Sugar, a group based at Queen Mary University in London, has called on brands to remove appealing packaging from products that contain high or medium levels of sugar, salt, and saturated fats. Their plea is based on new findings that compared the sugar content of popular cereals and yoghurts in the market.

The research revealed alarming results – almost half (47%) of the examined cereals and 65% of yoghurts contained a third of the recommended maximum sugar intake for children aged four to six years old. Brands such as Lidl, Aldi, and Nestle had the highest average sugar levels among the selected products.

What’s concerning is that these sugary products are often adorned with attractive packaging featuring cartoon characters, animations, and vibrant colors. Action on Sugar argues that this kind of packaging misleads parents and contributes to the unhealthy consumption habits of children.

It’s worth noting that there has been some progress in reducing sugar levels in breakfast cereals and yoghurts over recent years. Between 2015 and 2020, there was a decrease of approximately 14.9% in sugar content for breakfast cereals and 13.5% for yoghurts. However, this falls short of the UK Government’s Sugar Reduction Programme target of a 20% reduction within the same timeframe.

Dr Kawther Hashem, campaign lead at Action on Sugar, emphasized the urgency to address this issue as childhood obesity rates continue to rise. She stated: “Given the soaring numbers of under-18s suffering weight-related health problems and tooth decay being the leading cause of child hospitalization, now is the time for companies to be forced to remove child-appealing packaging from products that are misleading parents and making our children unhealthy and sick.”

PA News has reached out to Lidl, Aldi, and Nestle for comment on these findings.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is making a comeback in the UK restaurant scene with his newest venture, Jamie Oliver Catherine Street. It will be his first foray into the business since the collapse of his Italian restaurant chain four years ago. Located in a stunning Grade I listed building in Covent Garden, the restaurant will focus on using local suppliers and independent producers to create delicious and healthy food options for families.

With seating for 130 guests and an additional 30 seats on its terrace, Jamie Oliver Catherine Street aims to delight diners with both classic favorites and brand new recipes exclusive to the restaurant. The renowned chef will be joined by a talented team including head chef Chris Shail, who has been working with Oliver for eight years, as well as pastry chef Emma Jackson, formerly from Soho Farmhouse and Petersham Nurseries. General manager Caezer Cruz, who has been collaborating with Jamie for over 16 years, will lead the front of house team.

After living in Hampstead and Primrose Hill for several years, the father-of-five recently moved back to his native Essex. He announced this exciting project last November and unveiled the restaurant’s logo on Instagram earlier this week. In his announcement post that has already received over 25K likes, Jamie expressed his excitement about returning to the UK restaurant industry that he loves so much. He also shared his vision for Jamie Oliver Catherine Street as a welcoming place that celebrates Britain’s diverse culinary culture while supporting local producers and suppliers.

The menu at Catherine Street will showcase dishes inspired by Jamie’s own culinary journey and childhood upbringing. The chef emphasized that daily specials will play a key role in creating a robust menu that caters to all tastes. This exciting chapter in Jamie’s career has brought some of his best restaurant teams back together, making it a truly pivotal moment for him.

Mark your calendars! Jamie Oliver Catherine Street is set to open its doors in Covent Garden this November. For more information and updates, visit the restaurant’s website at jamieolivercatherinestreet.com.