Rob Swain, a seasoned professional with extensive experience at KFC, has been appointed as the new General Manager for the UK and Ireland, as the chicken chain focuses on achieving further growth.
He will assume the role on March 1, succeeding Meg Farren, who is transitioning to her new position as President of North America for Taco Bell, a sister brand under Yum! Brands.
During Farren’s leadership, KFC UK and Ireland expanded into a nearly £2 billion business and, in 2024, successfully acquired 218 restaurants from its largest franchisee, EG Group.
KFC employs approximately 27,000 people across over 1,000 restaurants in the UK and Ireland. Last year, the company announced its goal to open an additional 500 locations by 2030.
Swain takes on the role of General Manager after serving as Chief Operating Officer at KFC Global since 2022, where he led efforts to transform staff and customer experiences across 30,000 restaurants worldwide.
With over 15 years at KFC, Swain began his journey as an Area Manager in 2009, advancing through leadership positions within the UK and Ireland, as well as the Central and Eastern Europe teams.
From 2016 to 2022, Swain served as Chief Operating Officer for KFC UK and Ireland, where he led significant growth and fostered strong 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 Scott Mezvinsky, the incoming Chief Executive of KFC Global, and will succeed Farren, who has spent over a decade at KFC UK and Ireland.
Swain's appointment coincides with additional leadership changes in the UK and Ireland. James Whitehorn, previously Chief Development Officer, has been promoted to the newly established role of Chief Development and Financial Officer, succeeding outgoing Chief Financial Officer Matt McCormick.
KFC was founded in 1952 by Colonel Harland Sanders in Utah and currently operates over 900 restaurants throughout the UK and Ireland.