UK youth unemployment drives rise of ‘Chicken Wing Economy’

A surge in youth unemployment in the United Kingdom is driving the rapid expansion of the fast food sector, a phenomenon analysts at Baringa have termed the ‘Chicken Wing Economy’. Research indicates that the number of young people not in education, employment, or training (Neets) has reached an estimated 1,012,000 for the period of January to March 2026.

The youth unemployment rate has risen from 10.9% in 2017 to 16.2%, according to Office for National Statistics data. This shift in demographics is linked to a change in spending habits, as young people turn to more affordable fast food options such as KFC, Popeyes, and Morley’s. Baringa’s data shows that between 2018 and 2025, the annual growth of fast food restaurants outpaced traditional sit-down restaurants by approximately five times.

Social media influence and the entry of US brands like Chick-fil-A are also contributing to the trend. The UK’s fast-food chicken market is projected to be worth over £5 billion by 2029. Additionally, the Youth Futures Foundation suggests that official statistics may understate the issue, estimating that roughly 486,000 young people in the 18 to 24 age bracket may be ‘hidden’ from standard employment data.