Sign up to our newsletter for daily updates and breaking news Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A popular American chicken restaurant has opened its first branch in the UK in Berkshire.

Chick-fil-A has taken over an empty fast food unit in Reading .

Diners were trying out the new the chicken shop in The Oracle shopping centre on Thursday, October 10.

Chick-fil-A is one of the premier fast food restaurants in America and it appears to have selected Reading as its testing ground for a possible UK wide expansion.

Staff at the Reading branch said it was the chain's first restaurant in the UK.

Chick-fil-A, pronounced chik-fil-AY, is a much loved chain in the US for serving nuggets, chicken sandwiches, waffle potato fries and more.

(Image: James Aldridge / Berkshire Live)

Ironically, Chick-fil-A has taken over the unit previously occupied by Miami Burger, the UK's first vegan only fast food joint .

Miami Burger was open from January to July, with bosses claiming the restaurant was a test after it closed.

The vegan chain now sells its burgers in the frozen food section at Morrisons.

Despite its popularity Chick-fil-A sparked controversy in 2011 and 2012, when it emerged the restaurant's charity foundation had donated millions of dollars to groups seen as hostile to LGBT+ rights.

poll loading Will you eat at Reading's Chick-fil-A? 5000+ VOTES SO FAR Yes, I will give it a try! Yes, I've tried it in America and want to see what it's like here No, it doesn't appeal to me No, I will not eat here because of the owners' beliefs Maybe

It also followed comments made by the company's chief operating officer Dan T. Cathy opposing same-sex marriage in the US.

This sparked boycotts from LGBT+ activist groups, and a counter demonstration called 'Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day' where anti-gay-marriage advocates lined up in their thousands to eat at restaurants across the US.

The chain was founded by, Samuel Truett Cathy, a devout Southern Baptist and the family business continues to uphold Christian beliefs, with all restaurants closed on Sundays, Christmas and Thanksgiving.

It is unclear whether the new restaurant in Reading, Berkshire will follow this rule.

A spokesperson from the company said: “We opened a pilot licensed location at The Oracle Centre of Reading on October 10 and we are pleased by customer response.

"Chick-fil-A is a restaurant company focused on serving great food and hospitality.

"We are represented by more than 145,000 people from different backgrounds and beliefs and welcome everyone.”