Splendid Hospitality Group hatches careers for underrepresented youth in the Midlands with KFC and UK Youth

Splendid Hospitality Group (SHG) has created six new permanent roles for underrepresented youth in Birmingham and the West Midlands this year as part of a programme called Hatch, a social mobility initiative with KFC and UK Youth.

The new jobs offered by SHG at its KFC franchise restaurants come at a time when youth unemployment for 16-24 year olds in the Birmingham and West Midlands area is a growing cause for concern as it is noticeably higher than the national average.*

Hatch is designed to help young people overcome barriers to employment. It provides training, mentoring and hands-on work experience to build the skills and confidence needed to enter the workplace. Upon completing the programme, participants are guaranteed an interview for a role with KFC. The six permanent roles offered so far this year build on the six positions SHG offered to youth in Birmingham and the West Midlands in 2023.

This initiative underscores SHG’s commitment to supporting local communities where it operates and reflects the group’s belief in empowering young people who are eager to work but struggle to get started. SHG runs 38 KFC restaurants across Birmingham, the West Midlands and North-East of England. SHG were supported by delivery partners The Wolves Foundation, Catch 22 and The Albion Foundation.

Young people offered roles at SHG’s KFC franchise restaurants have shared their experiences participating in the scheme.

Teniola faced significant challenges in his job search, applying for 20 roles without receiving any responses. Teniola remembers seeing employers put his CV straight into the bin, he thinks because of judgment they made about his age, he was introduced to the Hatch programme which provided him with a valuable opportunity for work experience. He describes working at KFC as a positive and enriching experience. He particularly appreciates the kindness and helpfulness of the team, noting how they explained everything clearly from day one.

Kankam applied for around 40 to 50 jobs and was struggling to get his foot through the door. He believes this was largely due to his lack of experience and age. Kankam discovered the Hatch programme through his work coach. The experience has been fruitful. Kankam has learned many new skills and benefited from a supportive, communicative team. He has noticed a significant boost in his confidence and found fulfilment in helping others while growing personally.

Ben was on a challenging path when his support worker introduced him to KFC and Hatch, offering a chance for change. Initially nervous, Ben found the KFC team to be welcoming and supportive, describing them as “like a family”. He has enjoyed working there, appreciating the camaraderie and light-hearted moments with colleagues. Ben would recommend working at the KFC restaurant run by Splendid Hospitality Group to others, emphasising its value for gaining experience, building a CV, and benefiting from a paid opportunity.

Ben Clayton, Managing Director of the KFC franchise at Splendid Hospitality Group, said: “The impact we are seeing through Hatch is incredible. Young people are motivated and talented. They just need the right support to overcome the barriers they face. This is irrespective of whether these obstacles are social, economic, domestic or related to mental health. As a partner to KFC, we are committed to making a real difference and giving young people in the Midlands the chance to succeed.”

Nadeem Boghani, Executive Vice Chairman for Splendid Hospitality Group, commented: “At Splendid Hospitality Group we believe in the power of opportunity. The hospitality sector is a diverse workforce where young people don’t just learn new skills but also have the chance to build successful and fulfilling careers. That’s why we are supporting initiatives like the KFC Hatch programme which are vital in today’s employment market.”

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*Employment, unemployment and economic inactivity in Birmingham. How Birmingham compares with the West Midlands and Great Britain across employment-related statistics”. May 2024.