KFC on Tuesday announced the opening of its 30,000th location globally with a new restaurant in Rome, Italy, cementing its steady, continued expansion. After the brand opened its very first restaurant in 1952, a new KFC location now opens somewhere in the world every 3.5 hours on average. With plans to enter its 150th country later this year, KFC serves billions of people while also creating nearly one million jobs worldwide. The global brand held the title of fastest growing retail brand in 2021 and 2022.

“Opening our 30,000th restaurant is a testament to the support of our local business partners, employees and customers over the past nearly 75 years,” says Sabir Sami, CEO of KFC Global. “While we are a global brand, we aim to meet the unique needs and expectations of our guests on a local level, with menus that resonate with the local culture and flavors of each community. That also includes serving local communities through our food donation and upskilling programs, which operate in many of our markets, including Italy.”

KFC currently has the widest global footprint of any quick-service restaurant brand with no plans to slow down. In 2023, KFC opened nearly 2,700 new restaurants across 96 countries including impressive net-new unit growth throughout India and Latin America. As part of Yum! Brands, the world’s largest restaurant company, KFC’s portfolio is a major growth engine accounting for 50 perce t of Yum!’s divisional operating profit.

To maintain steady and sustainable growth, KFC is focused on being a best-in-class employer that cultivates an inclusive, people-first culture and employee experience. The brand is also focused on driving accessible, connected experiences through digital investments; innovative menus to meet cravings wherever and whenever they strike; and drive-thru optimization.

“The pace of our development would not be possible without our trusted franchise partners who share our vision and drive for excellence, innovation and building with purpose,” adds Nivera Wallani, KFC Global’s Chief Development Officer. “I’m excited to help lead KFC’s journey of scaling to serve feel-good food through inclusive, equitable and sustainable business practices.”

The new restaurant in Rome provides a relevant, easy and distinctively KFC experience to customers with features like double-sided kiosks and digital menu boards. Master franchisee COB S.R.L. and its franchise partners plan to open 25+ new KFCs across Italy and will collectively surpass 100 KFC restaurants later this year. As a member of local communities across Italy, KFC donates surplus food to non-profit organizations to distribute to those in need and operates an upskilling program that helps refugees build technical and life skills to increase their employment opportunities.

Source QSRmagazine.com