KFC creates Youth Advisory Board to ‘unlock growth’

KFC has launched a Youth Advisory Board amid plans to increase its intake of young staff.

The board has been created in partnership with youth organisation Youth Beyond Borders and aims to include the voices of the next generation in its decision-making processes.

The fried chicken chain said the scheme would examine the format and language used in job applications to ensure young people are given more opportunities to build a career in the industry.

It coincides with the launch of a CV and career mentoring pilot across KFC restaurants, as well as KFC’s support of the Youth Guarantee, a government initiative backing young people aged between 18 and 21.

KFC UK & Ireland has also recently conducted research on more than 9,000 young people and 2,000 employers over a three-year period, which found that 93% of young people experienced negative treatment in the workplace due to their age.

Three in five young people surveyed added they believe the current job market is inaccessible to them.

Lamin Tarawally, Youth Beyond Borders youth lead and chair of KFC Youth Advisory Board, said: “Young people today bring immense potential and fresh perspectives, yet age discrimination remains a significant barrier to employment. The Youth Advisory Board isn’t just about giving young people a seat at the table; it’s about valuing their unique insights and experiences to drive impactful change within KFC.

“Through this initiative, we aim to foster a workplace culture that not only welcomes young voices but actively seeks to learn from them. This is a powerful opportunity to reframe how businesses engage with the next generation, setting a precedent for authentic inclusion.”

Meghan Farren, UK general manager at KFC, added: “As one of the largest youth employers in the country, with 65% of our workforce under the age of 25, I see the positive impact that young people make to my business every day.

“If the government and businesses are serious about unlocking growth for the economy, then recognising young people’s potential and helping them get into and stay in work will be critical.”

KFC was founded in 1952 by Colonel Harland Sanders in Utah and now operates more than 900 restaurants across the UK and Ireland.

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