May 29, 2025
KFC’s UK boom, mental health overhaul, and Nvidia’s $8B China setback
KFC serves up £1.5 billion investment and 7,000 jobs across UK & Ireland
KFC plans to invest £1.5 billion and create over 7,000 jobs in the UK and Ireland by 2030. The expansion includes £500 million for 500 new restaurants and upgrades to 200 existing ones. Roles will span kitchen staff, managers, and a new guest experience lead, all with clear development paths. More than £400 million will go toward supporting suppliers.
Rob Swain, KFC UK & Ireland’s general manager, says surging demand and a £2bn revenue position fuel this bold growth. KFC remains committed to job creation despite rising employment costs, with half a million applicants and 2,000 internal promotions annually.
Beyond tick-boxes: building a mentally healthy workplace
UK organisations are still struggling to fully support mental health at work. Abi Clements of Mercator Digital highlights that true change requires more than policies—it needs cultural transformation, dedicated wellbeing teams, regular check-ins, and peer support networks. Mental health must be treated equally to physical health, with holistic approaches that also address emotional and financial well-being.
Flat structures, allyship, and open-door communication foster inclusive, supportive environments. When people feel heard, valued, and empowered, they thrive, boosting creativity, retention, and workplace satisfaction. Real progress begins when organisations prioritise people’s full wellbeing, not just productivity.
Nvidia faces $8B Hit as chip ban shuts China door
Nvidia reported a $4.5 billion charge in Q1 FY26 after U.S. export restrictions blocked sales of its H20 AI chip in China, with another $2.5 billion in unshipped revenue. The company warned that the licensing issues could cost it $8 billion in Q2, cutting into projected revenue of $45 billion. CEO Jensen Huang called China “effectively closed” for its Hopper data centre chips and criticised the policy’s impact.
Though the Biden administration reversed a tougher export rule, Nvidia remains affected by prior Trump-era decisions. Huang argued that such restrictions hurt U.S. competitiveness and empowered Chinese rivals in the global AI race.