KFC names Rob Swain as its new UK boss

KFC veteran Rob Swain has been named as the new general manager for the chicken chain in the UK and Ireland as it targets further growth.

He will take over on 1 March and replace Meg Farren, who is being promoted to president of North America for Taco Bell, which is run by the same parent company, Yum! Brands.

Under Farren’s tenure, KFC UK and Ireland has grown to a nearly £2b business and acquired 218 restaurants from its largest franchisee, EG Group, in 2024.

KFC employs nearly 27,000 people across more than 1,000 restaurants in the UK and Ireland. Last year it said it was aiming to launch a further 500 by 2030.

Swain joins as general manager from KFC Global, where he has served as chief operating officer since 2022 and was tasked with overhauling the staff and customer experience at 30,000 restaurants.

He has been with KFC for more than 15 years, starting as an area manager in 2009 before progressing to leadership roles within the UK and Ireland and Central and Eastern Europe teams.  

Swain served as chief operating officer for the UK and Ireland from 2016 to 2022, where he oversaw major growth and built partnerships with franchisees.

He said: “I am immensely proud to be taking on the role of general manager for the UK and Ireland business, returning to where I started my KFC journey over 15 years ago. 

“It is such an exciting time to be coming back to lead one of KFC’s boldest and most innovative markets as the brand continues to cement its leadership position and grow share in an increasingly dynamic market.”

Swain will report to incoming chief executive of KFC Global Scott Mezvinsky and will replace Farren, who has been at KFC UK and Ireland for more than a decade.

His appointment comes alongside further leadership changes in the UK and Ireland. Chief development officer James Whitehorn has been promoted to the newly created role of chief development and financial officer. He will replace outgoing chief financial officer Matt McCormick.

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