KFC wants to open TWO drive-throughs in Carlisle

It already has a city-centre outlet, in The Lanes shopping centre fronting Lowther Street, which has been trading since 2002.

And it has been searching for a site for a drive-through operation on a “main arterial road with a strong residential catchment area” since 2014.

It now says it wants to open two drive-throughs in the city – one at Kingstown, and another on London Road – and is prepared to pay £20,000 “finder's fees” to secure them.

It is seeking sites of at least 0.45 acres, in prominent locations with a strong residential catchment area.

There should be parking for 30 to 40 cars and a patio area for outdoor seating or to allow expansion.

KFC has two drive-through formats, for 82 and 114-seater restaurants of 2,648sq ft and 3,035sq ft respectively.

It opened a drive-through in Bridge Lane, Penrith, in 2007 and has advanced plans for a drive-through at Workington where it says a site is “under contract”.

KFC – short for Kentucky Fried Chicken – was founded in Kentucky, USA, in 1930 and now claims to be the world’s largest fast-food chain.

The first British KFC opened in Preston, Lancashire, in 1965. There are now more than 800.

KFCs are operated by franchisees who pay a $48,800 fee (£34,200) plus 11 per cent of sales as a royalty and contribution towards advertising.

This is in addition to the costs of leasing and equipping the building. KFC says it can cost up to £500,000 to set up a drive-through meeting its standards.

Carlisle is on a wish list of locations for new outlets, mostly drive-throughs, circulated to chartered surveyors and other property professionals.

It plans to open 50 a year. The KFC in Carlisle city centre is run by Sheffield-based QFM Group, which operates 36 KFC franchises.

Initially on two floors, the upstairs is now used only for training so reducing the restaurant’s capacity from 143 to around 100. It employs 22 people.

QFM invested a “substantial amount” in a refurbishment, completed in 2014.