Cook in Colchester

Welcome to KFC. Home of the real ones. We sell the world’s best chicken. We’ve done it for a long old time — since 1939, when the idea of finger lickin’ good chicken popped into our Colonel’s head. Now, we proudly serve 1000+ communities across the UK and Ireland, bringing the grit, pride and iconic reputation that started in Kentucky all those years ago.

People who are original. Individual. Fresh. We come to work to be ourselves, and to make something of ourselves. We bring the graft and the laughs every day — building our own community, as we serve our original recipe chicken to the ones we’re in.

In our place, ambition grows. Careers build. Potential goes further. Our doors are open, and they can take you anywhere.

If you join our team, we only ask one thing. That you be you. Because that makes us, us.

About the role

You’ll be the engine of the kitchen—prepping, cooking, and serving up our legendary chicken with pride and precision. It’s fast, it’s hands-on, and it’s all about bringing the flavour while backing your team every step of the way.

What will you spend your time doing?

• Own the kitchen. You’ll be the heart of the hustle—prepping, cooking, and serving up our famous chicken to perfection.
• Stick to the standards. You’ll follow our prep and cooking processes to the letter, keeping it safe, clean, and tasty.
• Keep it fresh. Quality matters. You’ll make sure every piece is hot, crisp, and finger lickin’ good.

What we'd love from you:

• Love for good food. You care about cooking it right and serving it hot—every time.
• Can-do attitude. You show up, step up, and keep the momentum going.
• Pace and precision. Fast hands, sharp focus, and you don’t cut corners.

Keeping it real

We don’t hire staff — we hire people. People with real lives and aspirations, building real careers. Each of us has something special to add to the mix we call work, and we’ll always encourage you to add your perspective. See, at KFC, everyone’s welcome — whatever your background, and whatever future you’re creating. We’ll look out for you because you’re one of us, not because you work for us. We’ll invest in your potential, because it’s what we’ve always done. But most of all, we’ll give you the freedom to be you, wherever (and whoever) you happen to be.

What’s in it for you:

• We offer benefits that make your life that little bit easier, because we know the juggle is real.
• Take the first step toward a rewarding leadership career.
• Free food and drink on shift.
• 25% staff discount.

KFC for everyone: Whoever you are and wherever you’re from, KFC is a place where you can bring the real you to work. We’re here to support you in being yourself, whether you work with us, or are trying to.

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 in 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.