Is there a Chick-fil-A in London or the UK? (2024)

Hello, chicken sandwich-loving people!

If you’ve arrived at this page thinking, “Is there a Chick-fil-A in London?” or maybe even, “Is there a Chick-fil-A in England?” OR finally, “Is there a Chick-fil-A in the UK?” then you have come to the right place.

Before I tell you whether there is a Chick-fil-A in the UK, I HAVE to recommend this book to you, as I know you will love it just as I did.

It is a fascinating read in to the history of Chick-fil-A, how it started and how it was built in to one of the most iconic brands in America.

You can also check it out on Audible if you prefer to listen to books (by the way, you can get TWO free books with my link here!).

This book is also a great accompanying read about the founder, Truett Cathy.

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If you want to know if there’s an American Eagle in the UK or a Home Depot in the UK, just click around on my site and I’ve got you covered as well!

I grew up in Florida, which is definitely Chick-fil-A territory, so I grew up on a healthy diet of 8 count chicken nuggets, medium waffle fries, and oreo milkshakes (hold the whipped cream and cherry, thanks!).

I literally want to buy every item in this list (and so should you).

Chick-fil-A always reminds me of home, and every time I’m in an American airport, it’s the first place I go.

That being said…

“Is there a Chick-fil-A in the UK or London?”

Unfortunately, the answer is – nope!

But those of us expats who still have a hankering for waffle fries are holding some hope. 

Before I talk you through why we might expect Chick-fil-A to hit the UK sooner rather than later, take a look at some of these articles I’ve written to help you understand more about life in London and in the UK.

Firstly, no matter your reason for being here, you need the best book on living in the UK for Americans ever written – the book is called “Girl Gone London: An American’s Guide to Surviving Life in the UK” and you should click here and check it out.

I also may have written it, so I’m biased.

But truly, if you’re coming to the UK as an expat, a study abroad student, or even a visitor, my guide to life in the UK contains both personal anecdotes and maybe too-honest experiences, as well as resources and advice on topics ranging from homesickness in the UK (or how not to rage book a flight to America like I did), driving in the UK, being a student in the UK, and more practical advice about bank accounts, buying houses, and more. 

It’s truly a one stop shop for all of the weirdness and wonderfulness (is that a word?) that comes along with life in the UK, and also there is plenty of opportunity to laugh at me as I share all of my expat fails so there’s that. 

Even if you’re only traveling across the pond for a little while, it’s helpful to understand things like: where to stand on the tube so you don’t get smushed, how to drive in England as an American who has no idea how to drive in England, and how to understand all of the coins about to be given to you.

• Culture Shock: The Things We Don’t Talk About
• An American Girl’s Guide to Surviving the London Underground
• Understanding UK Money: Pence, Not Cents!
• Driving in England as an American: An Apology to UK Drivers

Anyway, if you’re full on desperate for some Chick-Fil-A in London right now, here’s what I know.

Over the years, Chick-fil-A has had some “pop up” events in various parts of the UK.

They had one in London in 2016, which I actually went to because HELLO, nothing cures homesickness like some breaded chicken.

They only did a few menu items – waffle fries, the sandwich, and maybe one other thing.

But they were clearly testing the waters.

This has become even more apparent with their pop-up in Birmingham, and most recently in Edinburgh.

In fact, their representative even made a statement that they would love to serve Edinburgh sometime in the future.

It’s common sense that American franchises hosting pop-up restaurants across the pond are doing so to test the market.

Chick-fil-A doesn’t care about fulfilling that aching longing for some waffle fries for those of us American expats – they want to see if their stores might be successful in these overseas markets.

I’m crossing my fingers they make it to London soon, but I also think that they would find great success (and not just because I’d be there all of the time).

“Chicken shops” are actually a huge part of British culture, and I think an upscale chicken fast food place would serve a lot of people well.

Other restaurants have tried with other niches, like Arby’s in the UK with their roast beef sandwiches (fail!), but everyone loves chicken more than roast beef.

The one part of Chick-fil-A in the UK that doesn’t quite make sense is the friendliness of its staff and how up in your face they are about hoping you have a great day – I can see Brits being a little shocked with such positivity, but I’m sure they’ll manage.

So, as I said, there’s no Chick-fil-A in the UK or London at this time, but hopefully change is coming!

Moving on – if you do find yourself in the UK or London anytime soon, here’s another list of some of the shops and restaurants that you can (or can’t) find here.

So to help you make your way around and know what to expect, here’s a list of the essentials.

Fast Food

The UK has…

-Dominoes
-McDonalds
-Burger King
-Pizza Hut

The UK doesn’t have…

-Arbys
-Chick-Fil-A
-White Castle

Sit-down restaurants

The UK has…

-TGI Fridays
-Chipotle

The UK doesn’t have…

-Tijuana Flats
-Carrabas
-Outback Steakhouse

Big Stores

The UK has…

-Costco, though people say it isn’t as good of a value and not quite the same
-Walmart-owned ASDA, which isn’t exactly the same as a Walmart but pretty close

The UK doesn’t have…

-Macys
-Nordstrom

The grocery store names are also different, with no overlap between the US and the UK.

You won’t find Publix (for Floridians), Giant (for you mid-Atlanticers!), Kroger (looking at you, southern states!) or any other popular grocery store in your area.

You also won’t find Walgreens or CVS, but instead a different brand name for drugstores including Superdrug and Boots.

And when you need a store with lots of “stuff,” you can go to “Argos,” where you essentially order things from a catalog and then they are brought to you.

Read more in my full guide comparing UK and US stores and restaurants.

Coming to London Soon?

Hey!

Since you’re here I’m assuming you’re intent on visiting this amazing city soon!

Getting the lowdown on the hottest spots in town can be time consuming so I took the liberty of picking out some great ones below.

Hope you enjoy!

Open Top Bus London Tour: Double Decker buses are not only a way of transportation in London, but a definitive pastime of the city dwellers.

This tour lets you see London by night and experience a true right of passage that every Londoner must complete. A two for one YAY! 

Kew Gardens: If you want to explore some of the calmer areas of the city, I highly recommend exploring the botanicals at Kew Gardens.

London’s largest World Heritage site boasts acres of gardens in a royal glass palace because, yes, everything here gets the royal treatment. 

Afternoon Tea Cruise on River Thames: Oh so you’ve come to London looking for tea?

Lucky for you theres literally MILLIONS of options to choose from… it can actually get overwhelming. So I made it easy for you and found one of the best teas in town, complete with the best setting as well!

Want to know more about US stores in the UK? Check this list out!

• Is there a Costco in London or the UK?
• Is there a Target in London or the UK?
• Is there a Shoe Carnival in London or the UK?
• Is there a Duane Reade in London or the UK?
• Is there a Books-a-Million in London or the UK?
• Is there a Giant in London or the UK?
• Is there a Justice store in London or in the UK?
• Is there a PacSun in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Barnes and Noble in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Pottery Barn in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Chase Bank in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Banana Republic in London or in the UK?
• Is there an Arby’s in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Children’s Place in London or in the UK?
• Is there a 7 Eleven in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Hot Topic in London or in the UK?
• Is there an Applebee’s in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Disney World in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Bath and Body Works in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Bank of America in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Panda Express in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Boston Market in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Sam’s Club in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Wawa in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Trader Joe’s in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Safeway in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Sears in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Wegman’s in London or in the UK?
• Is there a TJMaxx in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Kroger in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Little Ceasars in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Dick’s Sporting Good in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Panera Bread in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Cheesecake Factory in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Johnny Rocket’s in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Wells Fargo in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Chuck E Cheese in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Sonic in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Waffle House in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Red Lobster in London or in the UK?
• Is there an IHOP in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Chili’s in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Goodwill in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Popeyes in London or in the UK?
• Is there an Old Navy in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Dillards in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Walgreens in London or in the UK?
• Is there a CVS in London or in the UK?
• Is there an Ulta in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Best Buy in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Kmart in London or in the UK?
• Is there a JCPenney in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Publix in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Marshalls in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Nordstrom in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Lowes in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Bed Bath and Beyond in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Taco Bell in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Dairy Queen in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Steak n Shake in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Hobby Lobby in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Sephora in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Macys in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Ross in London or in the UK?
• Is there an American Eagle in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Petsmart in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Michaels in London or in the UK?
• Is there an Olive Garden in London or in the UK?
• Is there an Outback Steakhouse in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Chipotle in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Kohls in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Starbucks in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Home Depot in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Wendy’s in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Walmart in London or in the UK?
• Is there a Dollar Store in London or in the UK?
• Is there an In-N-Out Burger in London or in the UK?