A new KFC that has been in the pipeline for 15 months has opened in Reading.

The KFC in The Square shopping centre, Chalfont Way in Lower Earley, opened today (Friday, December 10).

Locals have welcomed the new addition today both online and in nearby businesses.

Staff at the KFC will be serving up the fried chicken, chicken burgers, wraps, rice and salads it has become famous for.

The arrival of the KFC in Lower Earley is something of a snub to Wokingham.

There were hopes that a KFC would be opening in the Elms Field development in Wokingham town centre.

READ MORE: What happened to plans for KFC in Wokingham?

The company launched a recruitment drive for the possible location in Elms Field in January last year, but there have been no advances on a new KFC in Wokingham since then.

When the restaurant and takeaway chain was asked about its plans to open new outlets in the area in October this year, a spokesperson told chicken fans to “watch this space”.

Plans to open the KFC in Lower Earley have been in the pipeline since September 2020, when a plan was submitted by KFC franchisee Haider Zaman to take over the former ‘Just for Pets’ unit in The Square shopping centre.

Wokingham Borough Council’s planning department approved the plan in October 2020, but it has only been acted on this November.

According to the website Franchise Info, Mr Zaman is the head of SBR Group, which runs at least 14 KFC outlets and Costa Coffee cafes as well.

A statement has been requested from KFC on the new opening.