Chick Fil A Opens in Kingston
On March 5, 2026, Chick-fil-A opened its first restaurant in London, located at 90 Eden Street, Kingston. This opening comes after the company’s previous attempt to establish a presence in the UK was met with significant backlash.
In 2019, Chick-fil-A opened a restaurant in Reading but closed after just eight days due to protests from LGBT+ activists. The controversy stemmed from the company’s past funding of organizations opposing LGBT+ equality, which has been criticized as out of step with British values.
As the Kingston location opened its doors, Peter Tatchell, a prominent LGBT+ activist, led a protest against the restaurant. Tatchell stated, “We have been unable to secure assurances that Chick-fil-A will not, in the future, fund homophobic organisations that campaign against LGBT+ human rights.” He urged consumers to boycott the restaurant, emphasizing the need for businesses to align with inclusive values.
Despite the protests, many in the local community expressed excitement about the new establishment. Chelsea Lee, a representative from Chick-fil-A, remarked, “We are thrilled to be here in Kingston and see so many people queueing up for the opening.” Some guests began queuing as early as 6:45 am to be among the first to experience the new restaurant.
The Kingston restaurant features two floors and a large seating area, and it will operate from 10 am to 10 pm, Monday to Saturday, remaining closed on Sundays. The first 100 guests received free food and merchandise as part of the opening festivities.
In a move to demonstrate community support, Chick-fil-A has donated £25,000 to the charity Moving on Together, which provides services for individuals affected by addiction and hunger. This donation aims to foster goodwill in the local area, although it does not mitigate the concerns raised by activists.
Connor Ashford serves as the local Owner-Operator of the Kingston restaurant, which is fully run by locals, with some staff from Atlanta assisting in training. The company hopes to establish a positive relationship with the community despite the ongoing protests and criticism.
As the situation develops, the impact of Chick-fil-A’s presence in Kingston remains to be seen, particularly in relation to the ongoing discourse surrounding LGBT+ rights and corporate responsibility in the UK.
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