BUCKETS of chicken, pizza and burgers now dominate the menu for penny-watching consumers as the recession proves that the UK is still a fast food nation.

An announcement from Domino’s Pizza – which has branches across Hampshire, including three in Southampton – that profits had grown by almost a quarter in 2008, comes after a slew of upbeat results from the sector.

Consumers worried about the state of their wallets appear to be turning away from more conventional restaurants and staying at home with a takeaway instead. While the rest of the high street struggles for survival, fast food chains are enjoying a surge in popularity.

KFC this week announced plans for a £150m expansion,which would create up to 9,000 jobs in the next five years. Sandwich chain Subway intends to open 600 new stores in the UK and Ireland, adding 7,000 new staff, McDonald’s plans another 20 restaurants and bakery chain Greggs is also looking to grow.

Domino’s expects to open 50 stores this year and predicts that it will almost double its number of UK and Ireland outlets in the next ten years.

For McDonald’s in particular, this return to fashion marks a dramatic turnaround from just a few years ago when the film Super Size Me by Morgan Spurlock typified the public’s growing antipathy to the chain and fast food in general. In contrast to 2006, when McDonald’s said that UK sales had been in negative territory for a couple of years, the firm recently reported its “strongest ever” performance in 2008.

KFC chief executive Martin Shuker said that the firm had spruced up many of its stores, with modern decor and more comfortable seating. He said that KFC was also attempting to attract a more health-conscious consumer, with plans to test a grilled chicken option this year and by reducing the salt content of its food. Domino’s has also attributed some of its growth to new customers, drawn to the pizza firm as they cut down on eating out.

The chain has also said that a culture of long working hours has made people increasingly reliant on prepared food. It added that Domino’s has a broadening customer base, as the young adults originally attracted to takeaway pizza had grown into their 30s, “taking their eating habits with them”.

Greggs’ chief executive Ken McMeikan said that the chain’s quality and low prices gave it a head start on its rivals. “People are looking at the amount of money in their pocket and the best value,” he said.