40 jobs created as franchise operator puts York on the menu for latest expansion drive

A Sheffield franchise group, which operates a number of renowned brands of quick service restaurants including Costa Coffee, KFC and Taco Bell, has snapped up a site in York as part of its latest expansion drive.

York- based property development company S Harrison has sold a 0.44 acre site at Monks Cross to QFM Group. This latest investment will be QFM Group’s first restaurant in York and is expected to create around 40 jobs.

S Harrison has already developed part of the site into a 10,000 sq ft showroom, along with warehouse space, offices and a workshop area, for electrical contractor and retailer Herbert Todd & Son, which relocated to Monks Cross earlier this year.

S Harrison is now redeveloping the company’s previous premises on Percy’s Lane, close to York city centre, into a student scheme.

Ann Scott from S Harrison says: “This site is in a prominent position, right next to Monks Cross Shopping Park and it will be a great location for both QFM Group and a well-known quick service restaurant to make their first foray into the vibrant York market.  It will also make a valuable contribution to the local food and drink scene, as well as creating new jobs, so it’s good news for the area as a whole.”
Gareth Owen from QFM Group added: “We are excited about expanding into York.  Monks Cross is a busy area, with high levels of footfall and is home to a wide range of high profile retailers and leisure businesses, which makes it one of the city’s most investable areas.  It’s therefore a great opportunity for us, and we’re looking forward to unveiling our plans for a new, contemporary restaurant very soon.”