St Thomas gets first KFC outlet

St Thomas is benefiting from a multimillion-dollar investment courtesy of Restaurants of Jamaica (ROJ), local operators of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).

The entity hosted a soft opening of its newest branch in Morant Bay, the parish capital, on Tuesday. Situated within the new Morant Bay Urban Centre, the undertaking represents an investment of $350 million in the location and jobs for 55 persons, according to ROJ's Marketing Manager, Andrei Roper. This milestone marks the 45th KFC restaurant to be opened in Jamaica and the first established in St Thomas.

Roper, noting that Jamaica continues to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Melissa on October 28, underscored that the expansion of KFC into a new parish is a clear signal that "brighter days are ahead".

"We know it's been very, very, very challenging over the last month for the entire nation, in particular friends of the west and also persons who were impacted in the parish of St Thomas. So, we're really glad to be here in St Thomas, continuing the investment, continuing our belief in the community and continuing our expansion, and just sending the message that brighter days are ahead and more growth is ahead," he stated.

Roper advised that Tuesday's soft opening was designed to provide staff with the opportunity to acclimatise to the new location, noting that a grand opening will follow "a little later in the month".

The strong turnout of patrons reflected the community's warm embrace of the new branch and their gratitude for ROJ's gesture. Among the patrons was Nicholas Chambers, a resident of Botany Bay in the parish, who described the branch's opening as "a wonderful and historic moment for the parish".

"I'm a fan of KFC, but I am a bigger fan of St Thomas," he said.

Roper conveyed his appreciation for the enthusiasm demonstrated by the residents.

"We are looking forward to a fantastic partnership with our friends in what was once [regarded as] 'the forgotten parish' but is a forgotten parish no more. So, big things to come in St Thomas," he declared.