A staggering rise in the number of fried chicken shops in the UK could have a serious impact on one of Britain’s best-loved takeaways. According to data from analytics firm Meaningful Vision, which tracks the UK food industry, the number of chicken shops in the UK has increased by 7.2% year‑on‑year, the fastest growth across the fast food sector.

The staggering rise, fuelled in part by the dish’s popularity on social media, bucks industry trends, with other takeaways increasing by just 1.7% in the same period. Fried chicken is extremely popular among young people, with 52% of Gen Z fast food consumers and 47% of Millennial fast food consumers saying they have eaten at a chicken shop in the past year, according to data from market research firm Mintel. It comes as fish and chip shops, long a staple of the British high street, have seen a sharp decline in recent years.

It is estimated that only 9,000 remain in operation across the UK, down from as many as 25,000 in the 1930s, according to the National Federation of Fish Fryers.

Andrew Crook, a fish and chip shop owner in Lancashire and president of the NFFF, admits he is worried about the impact on fish and chip shops across the UK.

He told the BBC: “There’s certainly more profit in chicken than there is in fish, that’s for sure.

According to Mr Crook, the change in preference among the young, combined with high fish prices and rising energy costs, means that many traditional chippies are being forced to diversify their offering.

“In fish and chips, certainly, we’re worried about losing a generation.”

While fried chicken is nothing new, with brands such as KFC and McDonald’s a mainstay of the British high street for decades, an increase in the number of American-inspired brands entering the market has been noticeable in recent years.

Maria Vanifatova, chief executive of Meaningful Vision, says several US chains have entered the market in recent years, including Raising Cane’s, Chick‑fil‑A, Slim’s Chicken, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Popeyes, and Wingstop.

She said: “Chicken is really booming and we believe that this year this trend will continue.”