The new KFC restaurant at Knutsford, replacing the former EDC servery, next to M&S, on the footbridge. EDC traded here until around 2019, when it permanently closed, was boarded up and left empty for 4 years. During this time, the bridge-based foot court at Knutsford was looking rather bare, with just a large Costa and a Greggs. Adding KFC is beneficial as Knutsford is a profitable site, which will benefit from new facilities. Moto are also adding a Pret to this footbridge where the Costa lounge was. The new brands are breathing life back into this footbridge food court which was looking rather empty and depressing not long ago. It’s an oddly laid-out KFC, almost appearing slightly “boxed off”. KFC are becoming one of Moto’s core brands, making their fast food line up similar to Welcome Break’s. KFC began their journey at motorway services in 1989, opening at Keele Southbound. Since then, they spread to most Welcome Break sites, and now operate at around half of Moto’s sites. Moto first opened KFC at Hilton Park North in 2014, but this was an unsuccessful trail and the store later closed. A new KFC opened at Cherwell Valley in 2018, after which a few other Moto KFCs opened, then they started opening KFC more rapidly after 2022, including this outlet at Knutsford. KFC being a popular food brand means customers are likely to be more attracted to Knutsford and this brand will likely increase the turn-in rate of the site. I like the chequered flooring here as this is the only older feature in this completely brand new unit. Although not to the extent of Burger King, KFC does still inflate their prices on the roads, with products costing around 10% more. This isn’t significant but may be unexpected for customers who use the brand elsewhere. The location of this new KFC, on the footbridge, means it’s not simply accessed for all customers (only staircases means this footbridge area cannot be accessed for disabled customers), but additionally, means it’s not immediately obvious and customers who are primarily using the services for toilets won’t go past it as the toilets are on the lower level extensions. Although a lack of passing customers might impact KFC in the future, the brand being well-known and clearly signposted from both directions of the M6 means customers know it’s here and if wanted, they will look for it. KFC lacks any of its own customer seating, but there is a large seating area opposite which this KFC shares with Pret A Manger, so customers will be able to be seated. KFC, being new, isn’t yet advertised much around the site, it’s only signposted from the motorway. I’m sure Moto will make efforts to advertise this popular facility in due course. Despite this, KFC was very busy during my visit. This is because I visited during lunchtime, but shows that this new KFC facility is bringing trade back to Knutsford’s footbridge!

Photo taken on 10/02/2024 by Tom Moon.

Assigned to galleries: Knutsford, KFC, M6 (England), Moto