Franchise People Lead

Welcome to KFC.
Home of the real ones.

We sell the world’s best chicken. Seriously. And we’ve done it since 1939, when the idea of crispy, original recipe chicken took Kentucky by storm. Now, we’re proud to serve 1000+ communities across the UK and Ireland, bringing the grit, pride and iconic reputation that we started with, all those years ago.

Across the Restaurant Support Centre (RSC), we come to work to be ourselves, and to make something of ourselves. We want to see our potential go that little bit further, as part of one of the world’s most iconic brands.

What’s the gig? Well, you support our restaurants — and we’ll support you every step of the way. Simple. Our doors are open — and they can take you anywhere.

All we ask is that you be you. Because that makes us, us. Sound good? Great. Let’s find out about that job.

THE TEAM

Our People and Culture team creates a place where people don’t just work - they thrive and feel genuinely proud to be part of something real. We’re here for all 36,000 members of Team KFC – shaping a bold, inclusive culture where everyone feels supported, included, and empowered to grow.

We lead with smart, heart, and courage and are people first, always. From finding and nurturing top talent to unlocking growth opportunities, we’re ambitious about our people’s potential. We ask questions, push boundaries, and challenge the usual way of doing things - if it means building a better experience for our teams, we’re all in.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This role is all about building a one-team, people-powered community across our 28 franchise partners and 700+ restaurants. You’ll unite our People & Culture leaders behind a shared strategy, levelling up people experience across the system while strengthening the partnership between People & Ops to deliver legendary employee and customer moments.

You’ll unlock growth by raising people standards, driving brilliant governance, and making sure our franchise system has the support, insight and challenge it needs to win. Real impact, real responsibility, real teamwork.

WHAT WILL YOU SPEND YOUR TIME DOING

Insight Led

• Use data, insight and people metrics to fuel strategic conversations with Franchise Business Leaders and the LT, helping them drive the numbers that matter.
• Build know-how with FBLs so they can confidently deep-dive people data and have intrusive, action-orientated conversations with franchisees.
• Turn market trends and people insight into clear, consistent people standards across the system.

Governance & Compliance

• Shape and drive the people compliance roadmap, ensuring we meet policy, legal and brand standards with clarity, pace and accountability.
• Be the go-to on People governance and risk, leading activity linked to the Enterprise-wide Risk Management framework.
• Horizon scan for emerging risks, patterns and red flags — making sure the People function is ahead, not behind.
• Work closely with People Leaders and Principal Operators on critical people issues, including managing our Franchise Speak Up platform.
• Hold the bar on crisis management, guiding teams to make the right call for our people and our brand.
• Partner with our internal legal team and external employment law experts to keep the system safe and compliant.

Great Partners

• Build trusted, open and respected relationships with franchise partners — understanding their business and supporting them to grow capability and performance.
• Lead the partnership with Franchise Business Leaders to bring People & Ops together as one aligned force
• Create the space and energy for sharing best practice across the system and RSC teams.
• Represent the Franchise People agenda cross-functionally, ensuring employee experience is always part of the plan.

Unrivalled Culture & Talent

• Partner with franchisees and FBLs to shape future org design, capability and talent needs.
• Use people metrics to inform long-term talent, capability and standards decisions.
• Apply commercial and insight-led thinking to influence people standards and initiatives across the brand.
• Lead PPR with franchise partners — ensuring talent, succession, capability and development stay front and centre.
• Champion great training and culture execution, keeping close to completion, quality and impact.
• Build brilliant relationships with all People Leaders across KFC, influencing their people strategy through trust and credibility.
• Work cross-functionally with the RSC to keep us operating as one system.
• Be a key people partner to the Franchise Business Leader team across planning cycles, standards and capability.
• Attend and contribute to key KFC forums as required.

WHAT WE LOVE FROM YOU:

EXPERIENCE

• Strong understanding of franchise operations and how franchisor–franchisee relationships work in real life.
• Deep grounding in core HR practices (talent, performance, ER, reward, compliance).
• Comfortable pulling insight from people data and using it to influence the agenda.
• Confident navigating employment law, compliance requirements and industry standards.
• Sound understanding of risk frameworks and how to identify, escalate and manage risk.
• Background in change management and implementing new ways of working.
• Skilled stakeholder manager able to build trust at all levels.

SKILLS:

• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate complex information to various audiences.
• Ability to think strategically and develop long-term plans and initiatives aligned with business objectives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound and data-driven decisions.
• Ability to effectively influence and negotiate with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritise tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to coach and mentor franchisees and other stakeholders on HR-related issues.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across departments and functions.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and navigate ambiguity in a dynamic environment.
• A proactive and results-oriented approach with a strong drive to achieve goals.
• Proficiency in using HR software and other relevant technologies

ABOUT YOU

• A genuine team player
• A self-starter with curiosity, energy and adaptability
• Hungry to learn and thrive in a small, mighty team
• A practical problem-solver with strong commercial instincts
• Obsessed with high standards, momentum and getting things done
• And of course… a true KFC believer

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU:

We offer benefits that make your life that little bit easier, because we know the juggle is real.

From flexible, hybrid working to Fri-Yay early finishes and Live Well Days, we’ve created a package that supports the real you, in and out of work.

You’ll get:

• Hybrid working from our Woking RSC (just 24 mins from London). This role is remote based but occasional visits to our RSC will be required.
• Up to 11% company pension contributions
• Fri-Yay finishes at 1pm every Friday
• 25 days’ holiday (plus bank hols) a
• 5 Live Well Days a year, just for you
• Bonus scheme linked to company & personal performance
• Private healthcare, Digital GP access & mental health coaching
• Enhanced parental leave and flexible return options
• Study support, income protection, life cover & more
• And yes—25% off the chicken

Because real ones deserve real rewards.

THE ROAD TO BECOMING A REAL ONE...

• Apply (Go on... do it) – send us your CV and answer a couple of app questions.
• Intro call with our Talent Team
• Virtual call with Hiring Manager + Operations Franchise Lead
• F2F interview & Task at our HQ, Home of The Real Ones in Woking

KFC FOR EVERYONE:

Whoever you are and wherever you’re from, KFC is a place where you can bring the real you to work.

Our promise is this: every person who applies to a role at KFC, regardless of age, background, ethnicity, gender, ability, religion or sexual orientation, will have an equal opportunity to work here. We don’t just welcome, we encourage applications from underrepresented groups from all industries.

If you’d like any additional support with your application, have a disability or condition that may affect your performance during the recruitment process, or have any other requirements — just let us know. We’ll be there to help you be the real you.

Ready?

We hope so, if you’re ready to be part of our community, now’s the time to apply.

Worried you aren’t ticking all the boxes? Don’t - we’d still love to hear from you.

Beware of fake job postings using Yum! and/or our brand logos -- KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill -- on fraudulent sites. Yum! Brands only posts jobs on official careers pages and never asks for money during onboarding. Avoid unsolicited contacts via Telegram, WhatsApp or similar social apps.