View source for KFC

{{Short description|American fast food restaurant chain}}
{{About|the fast food chicken restaurant chain}}
{{Good article}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name = KFC Corporation
| logo = KFC logo-image.svg
| logo_size = 160px
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| predecessor = 
| foundation = {{unbulleted list
 |'''Sanders Court & Café''':<br />{{start date and age|1930|3|20}}<br />[[North Corbin, Kentucky]], U.S.
 |'''First franchise''':<br />{{start date and age|1952|9|24}}<br />[[South Salt Lake]], Utah, U.S.}}
| founder = {{ubl|[[Colonel Sanders|Harland Sanders]]|[[Pete Harman]]}}
| hq_location = 1441 [[Gardiner Lane]]<br />[[Louisville, Kentucky]], U.S.<br />[[Dallas]], Texas, U.S. (global)
| num_locations = 31,980<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://global.kfc.com/press-releases/kfc-surpasses-30-000-restaurants-worldwide |title=KFC Surpasses 30,000 Restaurants Worldwide |date=March 12, 2024 |website=global.kfc.com |access-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-date=March 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318161638/https://global.kfc.com/press-releases/kfc-surpasses-30-000-restaurants-worldwide/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Franchise Times-2025">{{cite press release |url=https://www.franchisetimes.com/top-400-2025/3-kfc/article_4fef09a2-1b66-4b78-bf74-3010d2372aec.html|title=KFC - Company Description|publisher=Franchise Times|date=September 28, 2025|access-date=October 6, 2025}}</ref>
| num_locations_year = 2025
| key_people = Scott Mezvinsky (CEO)<ref>{{cite web |title=Scott Mezvinsky |url=https://www.yum.com/wps/portal/yumbrands/Yumbrands/company/about-yum-brands/senior-officers-and-leadership-team/leadership-detail/scott+mezvinsky |publisher=Yum! Brands, Inc. |access-date=May 4, 2025 |archive-date=May 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250504122019/https://www.yum.com/wps/portal/yumbrands/Yumbrands/company/about-yum-brands/senior-officers-and-leadership-team/leadership-detail/scott+mezvinsky |url-status=live }}</ref>
| area_served = Worldwide ([[List of countries with KFC franchises|145 countries]])
| industry = [[Restaurant]]
| genre = [[Fast food]]
| products = {{flatlist|
* [[Fried chicken]]
* [[chicken burger]]s
* [[Wrap (sandwich)|wrap]]s
* [[french fries]]
* soft drinks
* [[milkshake]]s
* [[salad]]s
* desserts
* [[breakfast]]s
 }}
| revenue = US$2.83 billion (2023)<ref>{{cite web|title=Yum Financial Statement 2023|url=https://s2.q4cdn.com/890585342/files/doc_financials/2023/q4/Q4-23-Website-Data_IR-Website-Copy.pdf|access-date=March 4, 2024|archive-date=May 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510073530/https://s2.q4cdn.com/890585342/files/doc_financials/2023/q4/Q4-23-Website-Data_IR-Website-Copy.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| parent = [[Yum! Brands]]
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.kfc.com/|kfc.com}}
}}

'''KFC Corporation''',<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 11, 1971 |title=KFC Corporation |url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_de/770135 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |website=[[OpenCorporates]] |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510073533/https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_de/770135 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[doing business as]] '''KFC''' (an abbreviation of '''Kentucky Fried Chicken'''), is an American multinational [[fast food]] restaurant chain specializing in Southern [[fried chicken]] and chicken sandwiches. Headquartered in [[Louisville, Kentucky]], it is the world's second-largest restaurant chain (as measured by sales) after [[McDonald's]], with over 31,980 locations globally in 150 countries, {{as of|lc=y|September 2025|}}.<ref name="Franchise Times-2025"/><ref>{{cite web|title=KFC: restaurants worldwide 2019|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/256793/kfc-restaurants-worldwide-by-geographic-region/|website=[[Statista]]|access-date=May 14, 2020|archive-date=May 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502070614/https://www.statista.com/statistics/256793/kfc-restaurants-worldwide-by-geographic-region/|url-status=live}}</ref> The chain is a subsidiary of [[Yum! Brands]], a restaurant company that also owns the [[Pizza Hut]] and [[Taco Bell]] chains.<ref name="YUM!-Brands-Feb-2018-10-K">{{cite web |url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/2549/104106118000013/filing-main.htm |title=YUM! Brands, Form 10-K, Annual Report, Filing Date Feb 22, 2018 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=May 3, 2018 |archive-date=May 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504091222/http://edgar.secdatabase.com/2549/104106118000013/filing-main.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

KFC was founded by [[Colonel Sanders|Colonel Harland Sanders]] (1890–1980), an entrepreneur who began selling fried chicken from his roadside restaurant in [[Corbin, Kentucky]], during the [[Great Depression]]. Sanders identified the potential of the restaurant-[[franchising]] concept, and the first "Kentucky Fried Chicken" franchise opened in [[South Salt Lake, Utah]], in 1952. KFC popularized chicken in the fast-food industry, diversifying the market by challenging the established dominance of the [[hamburger]]. By branding himself as "Colonel Sanders", Harland became a prominent figure of [[American cultural history]], and his image remains widely used in KFC advertising to this day. However, the company's rapid expansion overwhelmed the aging Sanders, and he sold it to a group of investors led by [[John Y. Brown Jr.]] and [[Jack C. Massey]] in 1964.
[[File:A modern KFC restaurant in Murphy, North Carolina.jpg|thumb|A modern KFC restaurant in [[Murphy, North Carolina]]]]
KFC was one of the first American fast-food chains to expand internationally, opening outlets in Canada, the United Kingdom, [[Mexico]] and [[Jamaica]] by the mid-1960s. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, it experienced mixed fortunes domestically, as it went through a series of changes in corporate ownership with little or no experience in the restaurant business. In the early 1970s, KFC was sold to the [[Liquor|spirit]]s distributor [[Heublein]], which was taken over by the [[R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company|R. J. Reynolds]] food and [[tobacco]] [[Conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]]; that company sold the chain to [[PepsiCo]]. The chain continued to expand overseas, however, and in 1987 it became the first Western restaurant chain to open in China. It has since [[KFC in China|expanded rapidly in China]], which is now the company's single largest market. PepsiCo [[Corporate spin-off|spun off]] its restaurants division as Tricon Global Restaurants, which later changed its name to Yum! Brands.

KFC's original product is [[Pressure frying|pressure-fried]] chicken pieces, seasoned with Sanders' signature recipe of "[[KFC Original Recipe|11 herbs and spices]]". The constituents of the recipe are a [[trade secret]]. Larger portions of fried chicken are served in a cardboard "bucket", which has become a feature of the chain since it was first introduced by franchisee [[Pete Harman]] in 1957. Since the early 1990s, KFC has expanded its menu to offer other chicken products such as [[Chicken burger|chicken fillet sandwich]]es and [[Wrap (sandwich)|wrap]]s, as well as [[Salad|salads]] and side dishes such as [[french fries]] and [[coleslaw]], desserts and soft drinks; the latter often supplied by PepsiCo. KFC is known for its [[slogan]]s "It's Finger Lickin' Good!", "Nobody does chicken like KFC", "We do chicken right", and "So good".
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==History==
{{Main|History of KFC}}

[[File:Col Sanders Restaurant.png|thumb|right|upright=1.25|The [[Harland Sanders Café and Museum]] in Corbin, Kentucky]]

=== Sanders Court & Café ===
[[Harland Sanders]] was born in 1890 and raised on a farm outside [[Henryville, Indiana]] (near [[Louisville, Kentucky]]).<ref name="Whitworth-1970">{{cite news|last=Whitworth|first=William|title=Kentucky-Fried|url=http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1970/02/14/1970_02_14_040_TNY_CARDS_000295737|access-date=February 23, 2013|newspaper=[[The New Yorker]]|date=February 14, 1970|archive-date=May 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530031613/http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1970/02/14/1970_02_14_040_TNY_CARDS_000295737|url-status=live}}</ref> When Sanders was five years old, his father died, forcing his mother to work at a [[canning]] plant.<ref name="Klotter2005">{{cite book|author-link=James C. Klotter|last=Klotter|first=James C.|title=The Human Tradition in the New South|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X2UtXHKGj0sC&pg=PA210|access-date=June 29, 2013|year=2005|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]]|isbn=978-0-7425-4476-5|page=129|archive-date=March 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151216/https://books.google.com/books?id=X2UtXHKGj0sC&pg=PA210|url-status=live}}</ref> This left Sanders, as the eldest son, to care for his two younger siblings.<ref name="Klotter2005" /> After he reached seven years of age, his mother taught him how to cook.<ref name="Whitworth-1970" /> After leaving the family home at the age of 13, Sanders passed through several professions with mixed success.<ref name="celebritychef3">{{cite book|last=Sanders |first=Harland |title=The Autobiography of the Original Celebrity Chef |year=2012 |publisher=KFC |location=Louisville |page=15 |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/colcookbook/us/pdf/English_FullBook.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055011/https://s3.amazonaws.com/colcookbook/us/pdf/English_FullBook.pdf |archive-date=September 21, 2013 }}</ref>

In 1930, Sanders took over a [[Shell plc|Shell]] [[filling station]] on [[U.S. Route 25 in Kentucky|U.S. Route 25]] just outside [[North Corbin, Kentucky]], a small town on the edge of the [[Appalachian Mountains]].<ref name="Ozersky2012">{{cite book|last=Ozersky|first=Josh|title=Colonel Sanders and the American Dream|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qh5AEnwoJuIC|access-date=September 27, 2013|date=April 2012|publisher=[[University of Texas Press]]|isbn=978-0-292-74285-7|pages=19–24|archive-date=March 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151203/https://books.google.com/books?id=qh5AEnwoJuIC|url-status=live}}</ref> It was here that he first served to travelers the recipes that he had learned as a child: fried chicken and other dishes such as steaks and [[country ham]].<ref name="Ozersky2012" /> After four years of serving from his own dining room table, Sanders purchased the larger filling station on the other side of the road and expanded to six tables.<ref name="Aaseng2001">{{cite book|last=Aaseng|first=Nathan|title=Business Builders in Fast Food|url=https://archive.org/details/businessbuilders00nath_0|url-access=registration|access-date=March 13, 2013|date=January 2001|publisher=Oliver Press|isbn=978-1-881508-58-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/businessbuilders00nath_0/page/116 116]}}</ref> By 1936, this had proven successful enough for Sanders to be given the honorary title of [[Kentucky Colonel]] by [[List of Governors of Kentucky|Governor]] [[Ruby Laffoon]].<ref name="Smith2011">{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Andrew F.|title=Fast Food and Junk Food: An Encyclopedia of What We Love to Eat|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wq3tvL_uIHcC&pg=PA612|date=December 2, 2011|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-39394-5|page=612|access-date=February 21, 2016|archive-date=March 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151151/https://books.google.com/books?id=Wq3tvL_uIHcC&pg=PA612|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1937 he expanded his restaurant to 142 seats and added a motel he purchased across the street, naming it [[Harland Sanders Café and Museum|Sanders Court & Café]].<ref name="Hollis1920">{{cite book|last=Hollis|first=Tim|title=Dixie Before Disney: 100 Years of Roadside Fun|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ecaVOl1wzg0C&pg=PT19|year=1999|publisher=[[University Press of Mississippi]]|isbn=978-1-61703-374-2|pages=19–20|access-date=February 21, 2016|archive-date=March 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151219/https://books.google.com/books?id=ecaVOl1wzg0C&pg=PT19|url-status=live}}</ref>

Sanders was unhappy with the 35 minutes it took to prepare his chicken in an iron frying pan, but he refused to [[deep frying|deep fry]] the chicken, which he believed lowered the quality of the product.<ref name="Sanders-1974">{{cite book|last=Sanders|first=Harland|title=The Incredible Colonel|year=1974|publisher=Creation House|location=Illinois|pages=98–131|isbn=978-0-88419-053-0}}</ref> If he pre-cooked the chicken in advance of orders, there was sometimes wastage at day's end.<ref name="Whitworth-1970" /> In 1939, the first commercial [[pressure cooker]]s were released onto the market, mostly designed for steaming vegetables.<ref name="Binney2012">{{cite book|last=Binney|first=Ruth|title=Wise Words and Country Ways for Cooks|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kfQg_xASoTEC&pg=PA202|date=April 1, 2012|publisher=David & Charles|isbn=978-0-7153-3420-1|page=202}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Sanders bought one and modified it into a [[pressure frying|pressure fryer]], which he then used to fry chicken.<ref name="history" /> The new method reduced production time to be comparable with deep frying while, in the opinion of Sanders, retaining the quality of pan-fried chicken.<ref name="Sanders-1974" />

=== "Original Recipe" and franchising ===
[[File:Colonel Harland Sanders in character.jpg|thumb|upright|Harland Sanders in character as "the Colonel"]]In July 1940, Sanders finalized what came to be known as his "[[Original Recipe]]" of 11 herbs and spices.<ref name=july1940>{{cite news|last=Schreiner|first=Bruce|title=KFC still guards Colonel's secret|url=http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/072305/bus_19314459.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106024339/http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/072305/bus_19314459.shtml|archive-date=November 6, 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=September 19, 2013|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=July 23, 2005}}</ref> Although he never publicly revealed the recipe, he said the ingredients included [[salt and pepper]] and that the rest "stand on everybody's shelf".<ref name="Kleber1992">{{cite book|last=Kleber|first=John E. |title=The Kentucky Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8eFSK4o--M0C&pg=PA796|access-date=March 13, 2013|date=May 18, 1992|publisher=[[University Press of Kentucky]]|isbn=978-0-8131-2883-2|page=796}}</ref> After being recommissioned as a Kentucky Colonel in 1950 by Governor [[Lawrence Wetherby]], Sanders began to dress the part, growing a [[goatee]], wearing a black [[frock coat]] (later switched to a white suit) and a [[string tie]] and referring to himself as "the Colonel".<ref name="Kleber1992" /> His associates went along with the title change, "jokingly at first and then in earnest", according to biographer [[Josh Ozersky]].<ref name="Ozersky">{{cite book|last=Ozersky|first=Josh|title=Colonel Sanders and the American Dream|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qh5AEnwoJuIC|access-date=April 7, 2013|year=2012|publisher=[[University of Texas Press]]|isbn=978-0-292-74285-7|page=25|archive-date=March 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151203/https://books.google.com/books?id=qh5AEnwoJuIC|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1952, Sanders [[franchised]] his recipe to his friend [[Pete Harman]] of [[South Salt Lake, Utah]], the operator of one of the city's largest restaurants.<ref name="mashed">{{cite news|author1=Patty Henetz|author2=Jenifer K. Nii|date=April 21, 2004|title=Colonel's landmark KFC is mashed|newspaper=[[Deseret Morning News]]|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595057690/Colonels-landmark-KFC-is-mashed.html|access-date=November 13, 2013|archive-date=January 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113154352/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595057690/Colonels-landmark-KFC-is-mashed.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Sanders Court & Café generally served travelers, so when the route planned in 1955 for [[Interstate 75]] bypassed his properties, Sanders sold them and traveled the US to franchise his recipe to restaurant owners.<ref name="JakleSculle1999">{{cite book|author1=John A. Jakle|author2=Keith A. Sculle|title=Fast Food: Roadside Restaurants in the Automobile Age|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0nYcgnWKWXgC|access-date=March 13, 2013|year=1999|publisher=[[JHU Press]]|isbn=978-0-8018-6920-4|page=219|archive-date=March 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151226/https://books.google.com/books?id=0nYcgnWKWXgC|url-status=live}}</ref> Independent restaurants would pay four (later five) [[Cent (currency)|cent]]s on each chicken as a franchise fee in exchange for Sanders' recipe and the right to feature it on their menus and use his name and likeness for promotional purposes.<ref name="Liddle, Alan-1996" />

Don Anderson, a sign painter hired by Harman, coined the name "Kentucky Fried Chicken".<ref name="Liddle, Alan-1990" /> For Harman, the addition of KFC was a way of differentiating his restaurant from competitors; a product from Kentucky was exotic and evoked imagery of [[Southern hospitality]].<ref name="Liddle, Alan-1990" /> Harman trademarked the phrase "It's finger lickin' good", which eventually became the company slogan.<ref name="Liddle, Alan-1996" /> He also introduced the "bucket meal" in 1957 (14 pieces of chicken, five [[bread roll]]s and a pint of [[gravy]] in a cardboard bucket).<ref name=Darden1>{{cite book|last=Darden|first=Robert|title=Secret Recipe: Why Kfc Is Still Cooking After 50 Years|date=January 1, 2004|publisher=Tapestry Press|isbn=978-1-930819-33-7|pages=12, 57–58, 101, 159, 175, 211}}</ref> Serving their signature meal in a paper bucket was to become an iconic feature of the company.<ref name=Darden1 />

By 1963, there were 600 KFC restaurants, making the company the largest fast food operation in the United States.<ref name="JakleSculle1999" /> KFC popularized chicken in the fast food industry, diversifying the market by challenging the dominance of the [[hamburger]].<ref name="Smith2007">{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Andrew F.|title=The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AoWlCmNDA3QC|access-date=March 11, 2013|page=341|date=May 1, 2007|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|isbn=978-0-19-530796-2|archive-date=March 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151232/https://books.google.com/books?id=AoWlCmNDA3QC|url-status=live}}</ref>

With significant growth in tow, the fledgling Kentucky Fried Chicken decided in 1964 that they would begin offering franchise opportunities beyond the Atlantic, and landed on the United Kingdom as its entry point into Europe. As such, the first British KFC eatery opened its doors at 92 Fishergate in [[Preston, Lancashire]], on May 1, 1965, and still operates today.

Pat Grace met with Sanders at his holiday home near Toronto, Canada, and agreed to franchise the brand in Ireland. In 1970 Grace returned to Ireland after a number of years in Canada to open his first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants in Phibsboro shopping center in Dublin. Eventually he opened another six restaurants located in Dublin, Limerick and Cork. After disagreements over cost cutting with KFC management in the early 1980s, the Irish restaurants were renamed to Pat Grace's Famous Fried Chicken reportedly retaining the original recipe. These stores were closed in the late 1980s. Pat Grace went on to wholesale the chicken spice blend under the brand Grace's Perfect Blend.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grace's Perfect Blend History |url=https://gracesperfectblend.com/ |url-status=live |website=Grace's Perfect Blend |access-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215180624/https://gracesperfectblend.com/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Glen And Friends Cooking – KFC secret Ingredients revealed |website=YouTube |date=January 22, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WJYOgzFydc |url-status=live |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709153523/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WJYOgzFydc }}</ref>

=== Sale and global expansion ===
[[File:KFC outlet in Tondano, North Sulawesi.jpg|thumb|KFC restaurant in [[Tondano]], [[North Sulawesi]]]]
In 1964, Sanders sold KFC to a group of investors led by [[John Y. Brown Jr.]] and [[Jack C. Massey]] for US$2 million (around US$17 million in 2020).<ref name="Smith2011" /> The contract included a lifetime salary for Sanders and the agreement that he would be the company's quality controller and trademark.<ref name="Cottreli-1980" /> The chain had reached 3,000 outlets in 48 countries by 1970.<ref>{{cite book|last=Aaseng|first=Nathan|title=Business Builders in Fast Food|url=https://archive.org/details/businessbuilders00nath_0|url-access=registration|access-date=March 13, 2013|date=January 1, 2001|publisher=The Oliver Press, Inc.|isbn=978-1-881508-58-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/businessbuilders00nath_0/page/125 125]}}</ref> In July 1971, Brown sold the company to the [[Connecticut]]-based [[Heublein]], a packaged food and drinks corporation, for US$285 million (around US$1.8 billion in 2020).<ref name="Barmash-1971" /> Sanders died in 1980, his promotional work making him a prominent figure in American cultural history.<ref name="Smith2007" /> By the time of his death, there were an estimated 6,000 KFC outlets in 48 countries worldwide, with $2 billion worth of sales annually.<ref name="washpostobit">{{cite news|last=Smith|first=J. Y.|title=Col. Sanders, the Fried-Chicken Gentleman, Dies|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=December 17, 1980}}</ref>

In 1982, Heublein was acquired by [[R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company|R. J. Reynolds]], the tobacco giant.<ref name="Darden1" /> In July 1986, Reynolds announced the sale of KFC to [[PepsiCo]] for $850 million (around US$2.0 billion in 2020).<ref name="Stevenson-1986" /> The actual sale took place in early October for $840 million.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=Reuters|date=September 13, 1986|title=COMPANY NEWS; Bid by Pepsico|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/13/business/company-news-bid-by-pepsico.html|access-date=March 18, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105103757/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/13/business/company-news-bid-by-pepsico.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|agency=Reuters|date=October 2, 1986|title=COMPANY NEWS; Kentucky Chicken|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/10/02/business/company-news-kentucky-chicken.html|access-date=March 18, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808035318/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/10/02/business/company-news-kentucky-chicken.html|url-status=live}}</ref> PepsiCo made the chain a part of its restaurants division alongside [[Pizza Hut]] and [[Taco Bell]].<ref name="Brooks, Nancy Rivera-1986" /> KFC entered the Chinese market in November 1987, with an outlet in Beijing.<ref name="Darden1" />

In 1991, the KFC name was officially adopted, although it had already been widely known by that [[initialism]].<ref name="Seth Stevenson-2004" /> Kyle Craig, president of KFC U.S., admitted the change was an attempt to distance the chain from the unhealthy connotations of "fried".<ref>{{cite news|title=And Now, Finger Lickin' Good For Ya?|url=http://www.businessweek.com/stories/1991-02-17/and-now-finger-lickin-good-for-ya|access-date=February 5, 2013|newspaper=[[Businessweek]]|date=February 17, 1991|archive-date=March 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321040500/http://www.businessweek.com/stories/1991-02-17/and-now-finger-lickin-good-for-ya|url-status=dead}}</ref> The early 1990s saw a number of successful major product launches, including spicy "Hot Wings" (launched in 1990), popcorn chicken (1992) and, internationally, the "Zinger", a spicy chicken fillet sandwich (1993).<ref name="newitems">{{cite news |title=A feast of bargains |newspaper=[[Sunday Herald Sun]] |date=May 31, 1992}}</ref> By 1994 KFC had 5,149 outlets in the US and 9,407 overall, with over 100,000 employees.<ref>{{cite book|author1=John A. Jakle|author2=Keith A. Sculle|title=Fast Food: Roadside Restaurants in the Automobile Age|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0nYcgnWKWXgC|access-date=March 11, 2013|year=1999|publisher=[[JHU Press]]|isbn=978-0-8018-6920-4|page=221|archive-date=March 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151226/https://books.google.com/books?id=0nYcgnWKWXgC|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 1997, PepsiCo spun off its restaurants division as a public company valued at US$4.5 billion (around US$7.3 billion in 2020).<ref name="Chicago Tribune-1997" /> The new company was named Tricon Global Restaurants and, at the time, had 30,000 outlets and annual sales of US$10 billion (around US$16 billion in 2020), making it second in the world only to McDonald's.<ref name="New York Times-1997" /> Tricon was renamed [[Yum! Brands]] in May 2002.<ref name="tricontoyum">{{cite news|title=Tricon Global Restaurants Shareholders Approve Company Name Change to Yum! Brands, Inc.|url=http://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/tricon-global-restaurants-shareholders-approve-company-name-change-yum-brands-inc|access-date=November 20, 2013|newspaper=QSR Magazine|date=May 16, 2002|archive-date=May 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521220225/http://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/tricon-global-restaurants-shareholders-approve-company-name-change-yum-brands-inc|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 31, 2011, [[Priszm]], who was the largest franchisee of KFC restaurants in Canada at the time, went into bankruptcy protection in Ontario and British Columbia.<ref>{{cite web|first=Sacha |last=Peter |title=Priszm Income Fund Declares Bankruptcy |url=http://divestor.com/2011/04/01/priszm-income-fund-declares-bankruptcy/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707101810/http://divestor.com/2011/04/01/priszm-income-fund-declares-bankruptcy/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |date=April 1, 2011 |publisher=Divestor }}</ref>

By 2015, KFC was struggling, having lost business to other retailers and being surpassed by [[Chick-fil-A]] as the leading chicken retailer in the US three years previously. The company launched a new initiative with a plan to revamp its packaging, decor and uniforms and expand its menu. Additionally, beginning in May 2015, a new series of US advertisements was launched featuring [[Darrell Hammond]] as Colonel Sanders.<ref name="2015revamp">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/05/25/the-fried-chicken-wars-inside-kfcs-weird-new-fight-to-dethrone-chick-fil-a/|title=The fried-chicken wars: Inside KFC's weird new fight to dethrone Chick-fil-A|first=Drew|last=Harwell|date=May 25, 2015|access-date=May 27, 2015|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]| archive-date=May 26, 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526114110/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/05/25/the-fried-chicken-wars-inside-kfcs-weird-new-fight-to-dethrone-chick-fil-a/ | url-status=live}}</ref> In a planned rotation of actors,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1380826/cmo-q-a-kfcs-colonel-sanders-reboot-broke-internet-twice#KPGIHPkcP6dtJDs2.99 | title=CMO Q&A: How KFC's Colonel Sanders reboot 'broke the Internet' – twice | date=January 27, 2016 | access-date=February 7, 2016 | archive-date=February 1, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201033705/http://www.prweek.com/article/1380826/cmo-q-a-kfcs-colonel-sanders-reboot-broke-internet-twice#KPGIHPkcP6dtJDs2.99 | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Norm Macdonald]], [[Jim Gaffigan]], [[George Hamilton (actor)|George Hamilton]] and [[Rob Riggle]] portrayed Sanders in similar ads through the fall of 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/kfc-brings-on-last-comic-standing-judge-norm-macdonald-as-its-new-colonel-2015-8|title=KFC has 'Last Comic Standing' judge Norm Macdonald as new Colonel – Business Insider|date=August 17, 2015|work=Business Insider|access-date=September 10, 2016|archive-date=December 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226205151/http://www.businessinsider.com/kfc-brings-on-last-comic-standing-judge-norm-macdonald-as-its-new-colonel-2015-8|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Lauren|url=http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/kfc-swaps-out-norm-macdonald-jim-gaffigan-its-latest-real-colonel-169469|title=KFC Swaps Out Norm Macdonald for Jim Gaffigan as Its Latest 'Real' Colonel|work=[[Adweek]]|date=February 6, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2016|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817030459/http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/kfc-swaps-out-norm-macdonald-jim-gaffigan-its-latest-real-colonel-169469|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Moran|first=Victoria|url=http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/kfc-brings-george-hamilton-play-extra-crispy-colonel/304659/|title=KFC Brings in an Extra-Bronzed George Hamilton to Play Extra Crispy Colonel|journal=[[Advertising Age]]|date=June 23, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2016|archive-date=August 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821181054/http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/kfc-brings-george-hamilton-play-extra-crispy-colonel/304659/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2016/09/08/rob-riggle-kfc/|title=KFC Debuts a New Colonel For Football Season|date=September 8, 2016|website=Fortune|access-date=September 10, 2016|archive-date=September 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909163532/http://fortune.com/2016/09/08/rob-riggle-kfc/|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2018, country music icon [[Reba McEntire]] played the first female Colonel Sanders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/reba-mcentire-as-colonel-sanders-kfc-2018-01-26/|title=Reba McEntire to play KFC's Colonel Sanders|date=January 26, 2018|website=CBS News|access-date=January 27, 2018|archive-date=January 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127092717/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/reba-mcentire-as-colonel-sanders-kfc-2018-01-26/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Before leaving as CEO in 2021, Andrea Zahumensky told ''[[Ad Age]]'' the "brand assets that we're so lucky to have" were the bucket, the three stripes and the full name Kentucky Fried Chicken. All of these were being used more by the chain.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://adage.com/article/marketing-news-strategy/kfc-us-cmo-andrea-zahumensky-leaving-yum-brands-chain/2329001|title=KFC U.S. chief marketing officer, Andrea Zahumensky, exits|last=Wohl|first=Jessica|work=[[Ad Age]]|date=April 19, 2021|volume=92|issue=5|page=3|access-date=May 13, 2022|archive-date=June 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629140518/https://adage.com/article/marketing-news-strategy/kfc-us-cmo-andrea-zahumensky-leaving-yum-brands-chain/2329001|url-status=live}}</ref>

Australia rebranded KFC back to its original name, "Kentucky Fried Chicken" in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/fried-chicken-chain-kfcs-big-branding-change-in-australia/news-story/0d0d6eaa41c828ac3248cc54551275a7#:~:text=KFC%20in%20Australia%20is%20re,KFC%20is%20who%20we%20are. |title=Fried chicken chain KFC's big branding change in Australia |last=Brook |first=Benedict |work=news.com.au |date=July 26, 2019 |access-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-date=September 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922202045/https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/fried-chicken-chain-kfcs-big-branding-change-in-australia/news-story/0d0d6eaa41c828ac3248cc54551275a7#:~:text=KFC%20in%20Australia%20is%20re,KFC%20is%20who%20we%20are. |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Operations==
{{Main|Operations of KFC by country}}
{{See also|List of countries with KFC franchises}}
[[File:KFC worldmap.svg|thumbnail|Map of countries with KFC franchises as of December 2023]]
KFC is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, one of the largest restaurant companies in the world. KFC had sales of $23 billion in 2013.<ref name=yumpresentation>{{cite book|title=Iconic Global Brand|date=2014|publisher=Yum! Brands|location=Louisville|page=98|url=https://sites.media-server.com/mmc_m/instances/sigw4yo7/items/z3i7rq3o/assets/srvq5grd/0/Yum_2013_NY_Investors_Conference.pdf|access-date=September 1, 2016|archive-date=July 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716165312/https://sites.media-server.com/mmc_m/instances/sigw4yo7/items/z3i7rq3o/assets/srvq5grd/0/Yum_2013_NY_Investors_Conference.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> KFC is incorporated under [[Delaware General Corporation Law]],<ref name="thimmesch">{{cite journal |author=Thimmesch, Adam B. |title=The Fading Bright Line of Physical Presence: Did ''KFC Corporation v. Iowa Department of Revenue'' Give States the Secret Recipe for Repudiating ''Quill''? |journal=Kentucky Law Journal |volume=100 |year=2011–2012 |pages=339–389}}</ref> and has its headquarters at 1441 Gardiner Lane, [[Louisville, Kentucky]], in a three-story [[colonial style]] building known colloquially as the "White House" due to its resemblance to the [[White House|US president's home]].<ref name="Kleber2000" /><ref name=storey>{{cite news|last=Wolf |first=Barney |title=David Novak's Global Vision |url=http://www.qsrmagazine.com/executive-insights/david-novak-s-global-vision |access-date=April 3, 2014 |newspaper=QSR Magazine |date=May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309202621/http://www.qsrmagazine.com/executive-insights/david-novak-s-global-vision |archive-date=March 9, 2014 }}</ref> The headquarters contain executive offices and the company's [[research and development]] facilities.<ref>{{cite web|title=Yum! Brands 10K 31/12/2011|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1041061/000104106112000005/yum10k123111.htm|publisher=Yum! Brands|access-date=March 24, 2013|archive-date=May 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517230814/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1041061/000104106112000005/yum10k123111.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Yum! Brands plans to move the KFC headquarters to Plano, Texas, in 2025.<ref>{{cite web | last=Partridge | first=Joanna | title=KFC to become Texas fried chicken in HQ move to low-tax state | website=the Guardian | date=February 19, 2025 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/19/kfc-to-become-texas-fried-chicken-in-hq-move-to-low-tax-state | access-date=February 19, 2025}}</ref>

==Products==
[[File:KFC Original Recipe chicken in bucket.jpg|thumb|right|KFC Original Recipe fried chicken]]
KFC's core product offering is [[Pressure frying|pressure fried]] on-the-bone chicken pieces seasoned with Colonel Harland Sanders' "Original Recipe" of 11 herbs and spices.<ref>{{cite book | last=Tian | first=X. | title=Managing International Business in China | publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=2016 | isbn=978-1-316-67764-3 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U7ySDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA218 | access-date=November 7, 2017 | page=218}}</ref> The product is typically available in either two- or three-piece individual servings or in a family size cardboard bucket typically holding between six and 16 chicken pieces. In territories that follow the system handed down by Colonel Sanders, such as Canada and the UK, each chicken is divided into nine different [[Drumstick (poultry)|cuts]] (two drumsticks, two thighs, two wings, two breast pieces and one [[Keel (bird anatomy)|keel]]);<ref>{{cite web|title=Nutrition Guide|url=http://kfc.ca/en/assets/pdf/KFC11834_NutritionalChart_Eng.pdf|publisher=KFC Canada|access-date=February 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021211812/http://kfc.ca/en/assets/pdf/KFC11834_NutritionalChart_Eng.pdf|archive-date=October 21, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgC4jrhgbR8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/UgC4jrhgbR8| archive-date=December 11, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Which pieces of chicken go into your KFC bucket?|last=KFC UK and Ireland|date=August 21, 2017|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> however, the United States now uses an eight-piece cut.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nutrition Calculator|url=https://www.kfc.com/nutrition|publisher=KFC|access-date=March 28, 2018|archive-date=March 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328231308/https://www.kfc.com/nutrition|url-status=live}}</ref>

The chicken is hand-breaded at individual KFC outlets with [[wheat flour]] mixed with seasoning in a two- to four-minute process.<ref name=Balakrishnan132>{{cite book|last=Stephens Balakrishnan|first=Melodena|title=East Meets West: the World is Round and Time is Cyclic|year=2013|publisher=[[Emerald Group Publishing]]|isbn=978-1-78190-413-8|pages=126–132|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8CLmuucAqogC&pg=PA126|access-date=February 21, 2016|archive-date=March 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151229/https://books.google.com/books?id=8CLmuucAqogC&pg=PA126|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=ceomag>{{cite news|title=Serving Up Quality |url=http://www.theceomagazine.com.au/profiles/KFC/Tony-Lowings-KFC.pdf |access-date=September 26, 2013 |newspaper=CEO Magazine |date=July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927204937/http://www.theceomagazine.com.au/profiles/KFC/Tony-Lowings-KFC.pdf |archive-date=September 27, 2013 }}</ref> It is then pressure fried for between seven and 10 minutes (the timing differs between countries) in oil at 185 degrees Celsius.<ref name=Balakrishnan132 /><ref name=cooktemp>{{cite web|title=Secret of Kentucky Fried Chicken taste|url=http://www.kfc.co.jp/brand/from_kfc/index07.html|work=KFC Japan|publisher=Yum!|access-date=November 13, 2013|archive-date=July 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720003620/http://www.kfc.co.jp/brand/from_kfc/index07.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=howitsmade>{{cite news|last1=Chan|first1=Casey|title=This is How KFC Actually Makes its Fried Chicken From Beginning to End|url=http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2014/10/this-is-how-kfc-actually-makes-its-fried-chicken-from-beginning-to-end/|access-date=November 25, 2014|work=Gizmondo|date=October 28, 2014|archive-date=November 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129020620/http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2014/10/this-is-how-kfc-actually-makes-its-fried-chicken-from-beginning-to-end/|url-status=live}}</ref> Following this, the chicken is left to stand for 5 minutes in order for it to sufficiently cool before it is placed in the warming oven.<ref name=Balakrishnan132 /> It is KFC policy to discard chicken if it has not been sold within 90 minutes in order to ensure freshness.<ref name=Balakrishnan132 /> The frying oil varies regionally and versions used include [[Sunflower oil|sunflower]], [[Soybean oil|soybean]], [[rapeseed]] and [[palm oil]].<ref name=steyn>{{cite news|last=Steyn|first=Lisa|title=KFC's secret recipe for growth|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2013-06-21-00-kfcs-secret-recipe-for-growth|access-date=September 26, 2013|newspaper=[[Mail & Guardian]]|date=June 21, 2013|archive-date=September 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927055122/http://mg.co.za/article/2013-06-21-00-kfcs-secret-recipe-for-growth|url-status=live}}</ref> A KFC executive stated that the taste of the chicken will vary between regions depending on the oil variety used and whether the chicken has been corn-fed or wheat-fed.<ref name=steyn />

[[File:KFC Zinger.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Zinger served with crispy [[fries]] and [[Sweet chili sauce|Thai chili sauce]] in Malaysia]]

As well as its core chicken on the bone offering, KFC's major products include chicken burgers (including the Zinger and the Tower); [[Wrap (food)|wrap]]s ("Twisters" and "Boxmasters"); and a variety of [[finger food]]s, including crispy chicken strips and [[hot wings]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Burgers |url=http://www.kfc.co.uk/our-food/burgers |publisher=KFC UK |access-date=February 23, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117151539/http://www.kfc.co.uk/our-food/burgers |archive-date=January 17, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Food|url=http://www.kfc.com/food/chicken/|publisher=KFC US|access-date=February 23, 2013|archive-date=February 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226072359/http://www.kfc.com/food/chicken/|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Popcorn chicken]], which consists of bite-sized pieces of fried chicken, is one of the most widely available KFC products.<ref>{{cite news|last=Horovitz|first=Bruce|title=What's next: Fast-food giants hunt for new products to tempt consumers|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=July 3, 2002}}</ref> In some locations, such as in Australia, Belarus, Malaysia and South Africa, [[chicken nugget]]s are also sold.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chicken|url=http://www.kfc.com.au/menu/|publisher=KFC Australia|access-date=January 1, 2014|archive-date=December 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230115645/http://www.kfc.com.au/menu/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[McCormick & Company]] is KFC's largest supplier of sauces, seasonings and marinades and is a long-term partner in new product development.<ref name=ceomag />

Due to the company's previous relationship with PepsiCo, most territories supply PepsiCo products, but exceptional territories include Barbados, Greece, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Romania,<ref name=romaniadrinks>{{cite web|title=Drinks|url=http://www.kfc.ro/meniu/bauturi|work=Yum!|publisher=KFC Romania|access-date=April 11, 2014|archive-date=February 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140215173238/http://www.kfc.ro/meniu/bauturi|url-status=live}}</ref> South Africa, Turkey, Indonesia (since 2019),<ref>{{cite web|title=Suara Kecewa Konsumen KFC saat Pepsi 'Cabut' dan Bakal Diganti|date=October 3, 2019 |url=https://tirto.id/suara-kecewa-konsumen-kfc-saat-pepsi-cabut-dan-bakal-diganti-ejaV|publisher=tirto.id|access-date=March 31, 2022|archive-date=March 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331171451/https://tirto.id/suara-kecewa-konsumen-kfc-saat-pepsi-cabut-dan-bakal-diganti-ejaV|url-status=live}}</ref> Singapore (since 2022)<ref>{{cite web|title=KFC & Pizza Hut now serving Coke instead of Pepsi in Singapore|url=https://www.econotimes.com/KFC-Pizza-Hut-Replace-Pepsi-With-Coke-In-Selected-Menu-Items-1637987|publisher=EconoTimes|date=July 25, 2022|access-date=July 25, 2022|archive-date=July 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725223152/https://www.econotimes.com/KFC-Pizza-Hut-Replace-Pepsi-With-Coke-In-Selected-Menu-Items-1637987|url-status=live}}</ref> and Malaysia (since 2022)<ref>{{cite web|title=Coca-Cola, QSR Brands in multi-year partnership in Malaysia|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2022/08/02/coca-cola-qsr-brands-in-multi-year-partnership-in-malaysia|work=[[The Star (Malaysia)]]|date=August 1, 2022|access-date=August 1, 2022|archive-date=August 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802111955/https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2022/08/02/coca-cola-qsr-brands-in-multi-year-partnership-in-malaysia|url-status=live}}</ref> which stock drinks supplied by [[The Coca-Cola Company]], and [[Aruba]], which stocks [[RC Cola]] from the [[Cott Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web|title=KFC Menu: Drinks|url=http://www.kfc.co.za/c/menu/by/group/drinks/|publisher=KFC South Africa|access-date=February 12, 2013|archive-date=May 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509064250/http://www.kfc.co.za/c/menu/by/group/drinks/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=romaniadrinks/><ref>{{cite web|title=Drinks 'n' Chills|url=http://www.kfc.gr/#/menu|publisher=KFC Hellas|language=el|access-date=February 2, 2013|archive-date=January 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131073311/http://www.kfc.gr/#/menu|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first= Aimee |last= Shaw |date= November 6, 2015 |title= KFC ditches Pepsi for Coke |url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11540985 |location= Auckland |newspaper= The New Zealand Herald |access-date= February 17, 2016 |archive-date= February 24, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160224135113/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11540985 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://kfc.com.mx/menu/extras/bebidas |url-status=dead |title=Extras – Bebidas |publisher=KFC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112225935/https://kfc.com.mx/menu/extras/bebidas |archive-date=January 12, 2022}}</ref> In Peru, the locally popular [[Inca Kola]] is sold.<ref>{{cite web|title=Piezas, snacks, complementos y bebidas |url=http://www.kfc.com.pe/es/contenido.php?60/menu/piezas,_snacks,_complementos_bebidas.html |publisher=KFC Peru |language=es |access-date=February 12, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121212451/http://kfc.com.pe/es/contenido.php?60%2Fmenu%2Fpiezas%2C_snacks%2C_complementos_bebidas.html |archive-date=January 21, 2013 }}</ref>

Launched in 2009, the Krusher/Krushem range of frozen beverages containing "real bits" such as [[Kit Kat]], [[Oreo]] and strawberry [[shortcake]] is available in over 2,000 outlets.<ref>{{cite news|title=Q1 2010 Yum! Brands, Inc. Earnings Conference Call&nbsp;— Final|newspaper=FD (Fair Disclosure) Wire|date=April 15, 2010}}</ref> Egg [[custard tart]] is a popular dessert worldwide, but other items include [[ice cream sundae]]s and [[tres leches cake]] in Peru.<ref>{{cite web|title=Postres (Desserts) |url=http://www.kfc.com.pe/es/contenido.php?59/menu/postres.html |publisher=KFC Peru |language=es |access-date=February 23, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127012936/http://kfc.com.pe/es/contenido.php?59%2Fmenu%2Fpostres.html |archive-date=January 27, 2013 }}</ref>

In 2012, the "KFC AM" breakfast menu began to be rolled out internationally, including such items as [[pancake]]s, [[waffle]]s and [[porridge]], as well as fried chicken.<ref name=jargon>{{cite news|last=Jargon|first=Julie|title=Yum's CEO Serves Up New Taco, Growth Plans|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204059804577229570350332972|access-date=September 27, 2013|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=February 21, 2012|archive-date=October 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024004454/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204059804577229570350332972|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title='Chicken AM': KFC launches a breakfast menu | website=Stuff.co.nz | date=October 20, 2016 | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/food-news/85553752/chicken-am-kfc-launches-a-breakfast-menu | access-date=November 7, 2017 | archive-date=November 8, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108035332/http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/food-news/85553752/chicken-am-kfc-launches-a-breakfast-menu | url-status=live }}</ref>

On August 27, 2019, KFC tested meatless boneless wings and nuggets in Atlanta, Georgia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/kfc-beyond-meat-partner-to-test-plant-based-nuggets-wings-1835252/ |date=August 26, 2019 |title=KFC, Beyond Meat partner to test plant-based nuggets, wings |work=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]] |access-date=August 27, 2019 |archive-date=August 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827201926/https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/kfc-beyond-meat-partner-to-test-plant-based-nuggets-wings-1835252/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://atlanta.eater.com/2019/8/27/20834857/kentucky-fried-chicken-beyond-meat-fried-chicken-smyrna-atlanta |last=McKibben |first=Beth |date=August 27, 2019 |title=The Fate of KFC's Future Faux Fried 'Chicken' Kingdom Lies With Atlantans [Update] |work=[[Eater (website)|Eater-Atlanta]] |access-date=August 27, 2019 |archive-date=August 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827160450/https://atlanta.eater.com/2019/8/27/20834857/kentucky-fried-chicken-beyond-meat-fried-chicken-smyrna-atlanta |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2023, Kentucky Fried Chicken in Australia announced that several items would no longer be sold in their menu, including wings, popcorn chicken, Nashville hot sauce and strawberry lemonade.<ref>{{cite book | title=KFC Menu Australia | year=2023 | url=https://kfcmenu.com.au/ }}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===The 11 herbs and spices===
{{Main|KFC Original Recipe}}
[[File:KFC - Pressure-fried Chicken - Howrah 2014-03-23 9718.JPG|thumb|upright|left|Original Recipe chicken sold in the iconic bucket]]
Sanders' Original Recipe of "11 herbs and spices" is one of the best known [[trade secret]]s in the catering industry.<ref name="Chartrand">{{cite news|last=Chartrand|first=Sandra|title=Patents; Many companies will forgo patents in an effort to safeguard their trade secrets|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/05/business/patents-many-companies-will-forgo-patents-effort-safeguard-their-trade-secrets.html?n=Top%2fNews%2fTechnology%2fColumns%2fPatents|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 5, 2001|access-date=September 27, 2013|archive-date=September 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929091111/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/05/business/patents-many-companies-will-forgo-patents-effort-safeguard-their-trade-secrets.html?n=Top%2fNews%2fTechnology%2fColumns%2fPatents|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=Hovey | first=C. | title=The Patent Process: A Guide to Intellectual Property for the Information Age | publisher=Wiley | year=2002 | isbn=978-0-471-44217-2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aulUAAAAMAAJ | access-date=November 7, 2017 | page=243}}</ref> The recipe is not patented, because patent law requires public disclosure of an invention and provides protection only for a strictly limited term, whereas trade secrets can remain the intellectual property of their holders in perpetuity.<ref>{{cite news|title=It pays to understand law on trade secrets|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2001/02/26/editorial2.html?page=all|access-date=February 22, 2013|newspaper=[[Louisville Business First|Business First]]|date=February 26, 2001|archive-date=October 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001203813/http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2001/02/26/editorial2.html?page=all|url-status=live}}</ref>

A copy of the recipe, signed by Sanders, is held inside a safe inside a vault in KFC's Louisville headquarters, along with 11 vials containing the herbs and spices.<ref name="Brady, Diane-2012" /><ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press |title=Colonel's Secret Recipe Gets Bodyguards |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2008/09/09/colonels-secret-recipe-gets-bodyguards.html |access-date=January 31, 2013 |newspaper=[[CNBC]] |date=September 9, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923032226/https://www.cnbc.com/id/26618866/Colonel039s_Secret_Recipe_Gets_Bodyguards |archive-date=September 23, 2013 }}</ref> To maintain the secrecy of the recipe, half of it is produced by Griffith Laboratories before it is given to [[McCormick & Company|McCormick]], who add the second half.<ref name=crossan>{{cite news|last=Crossan|first=Rob|title=The A to Z of fried chicken|newspaper=[[The Times]]|date=April 26, 2012}}</ref>

In 1999, a couple who bought the house formerly occupied by Colonel Sanders found scribbled notes purported to be the secret recipe. Initially, KFC wanted to file a lawsuit against the couple to stop an auction of the notes but, by early 2001, it dropped the lawsuit, claiming the scribbled notes are "nowhere close" to the original recipe.<ref>{{cite news|author=Sabra Chartrand|title=Patents; Many companies will forgo patents in an effort to safeguard their trade secrets.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/05/business/patents-many-companies-will-forgo-patents-effort-safeguard-their-trade-secrets.html|access-date=March 12, 2016|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 5, 2001|archive-date=March 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312001143/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/05/business/patents-many-companies-will-forgo-patents-effort-safeguard-their-trade-secrets.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Joe Ledington of Kentucky, a nephew by marriage of Colonel Sanders, claimed to have found a copy of the original KFC fried chicken recipe on a handwritten piece of paper in an envelope in a scrapbook. In August 2016, ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' staffers conducted a cooking test of this recipe and claimed after a few attempts that, with the addition of the [[MSG]] flavor-enhancer [[Ac'cent]], they produced fried chicken which tasted "indistinguishable" from the chicken they purchased at KFC.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dodrill|first1=Tara|title=KFC Secret Recipe Found? Colonel Sanders' Nephew Shares 11 Herbs And Spices Found In Family Scrapbook|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/3436361/kfc-secret-recipe-found-colonel-sanders-nephew-shares-11-herbs-and-spices-found-in-family-scrapbook|date=August 20, 2016|work=[[Inquisitr]]|access-date=August 21, 2016|archive-date=August 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822063251/http://www.inquisitr.com/3436361/kfc-secret-recipe-found-colonel-sanders-nephew-shares-11-herbs-and-spices-found-in-family-scrapbook/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

===Regionalized menus===
KFC adapts its menu internationally to suit regional tastes and there are over 300 KFC menu items worldwide.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=David E. Bell|author2=Mary L. Shelman|title=KFC's Radical Approach To China|journal=Harvard Business Review|date=November 2011|url=http://hbr.org/2011/11/kfcs-radical-approach-to-china/ar/1|access-date=January 31, 2013|archive-date=March 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310085305/http://hbr.org/2011/11/kfcs-radical-approach-to-china/ar/1|url-status=live}}</ref> Some locations, such as the UK and the US, sell [[grilled]] chicken.<ref name=brazer>{{cite news|last=Cave|first=Andrew|title=KFC's Colonel joins the health kick|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/8335445/KFCs-Colonel-joins-the-health-kick.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/8335445/KFCs-Colonel-joins-the-health-kick.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=November 13, 2013|newspaper=[[Daily Telegraph]]|date=February 20, 2011|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=grilled>{{cite news|last=Clark|first=Andrew|title=Kentucky Grilled Chicken|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/andrew-clark-on-america/2009/apr/15/fooddrinks|access-date=November 13, 2013|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=April 15, 2009|archive-date=November 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113164308/http://www.theguardian.com/business/andrew-clark-on-america/2009/apr/15/fooddrinks|url-status=live}}</ref> In predominantly [[Islamic]] countries, the chicken served is [[halal]].<ref name=Balakrishnan132 /> In Asia,{{vague|date=March 2021}} there is a preference for spicy foods, such as the Zinger chicken burger.<ref name="Chu, Kathy-2012" /> In many international markets, the seasoning used for the core chicken pieces product is available as a hot and spicy version as an alternative to the classic KFC recipe. The hot and spicy coating, as well as having a spicier flavour, also has a crispy consistency. In Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, a grilled chicken known as "Smoky Red" is available. KFC locations in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and Vietnam offer a roasted option known as Flava Crava. KFC's menu in China includes, among other items incorporating Chinese food items, rice bowls, noodle dishes, and chicken prepared in the style of Peking duck.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Marquis |first1=Christopher |url= |title=Mao and markets the communist roots of Chinese enterprise |last2=Qiao |first2=Kunyuan |date=2022 |publisher=[[Yale University Press]] |isbn=978-0-300-26883-6 |location=New Haven |pages=241 |oclc=1348572572}}</ref> Some locations in the US sell fried chicken [[Liver (food)|liver]]s and [[Gizzard#In cuisine|gizzard]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nutrition Guide|url=http://www.kfc.com/nutrition/pdf/kfc_nutrition.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.kfc.com/nutrition/pdf/kfc_nutrition.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|publisher=KFC US|access-date=February 23, 2013}}</ref> A small number of US outlets offer an [[all-you-can-eat]] [[buffet]] option with a limited menu.<ref>{{cite web|author=Bhasin, Kim|title=The All-You-Can-Eat KFC Buffet Is The Unicorn Of Fast Food|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/the-all-you-can-eat-kfc-buffet-is-the-unicorn-of-fast-food-2012-10|website=[[Business Insider]]|date=October 25, 2012|access-date=October 25, 2012|archive-date=October 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027091145/http://www.businessinsider.com/the-all-you-can-eat-kfc-buffet-is-the-unicorn-of-fast-food-2012-10|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Value menu]] items are sold under the "Streetwise" name in locations such as Canada, Nigeria, South Africa and Mauritius.<ref name=streetwise>{{cite news|last=Mattos|first=Melinda|title=Hungry for change|url=http://strategyonline.ca/2010/08/01/who-20100801/|access-date=November 13, 2013|newspaper=Campaign|date=August 1, 2010|archive-date=November 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113231345/http://strategyonline.ca/2010/08/01/who-20100801/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Side dish]]es often include [[French fries]], [[coleslaw]], [[barbecue]] [[baked beans]], [[corn on the cob]], [[mashed potato]], [[bread roll]]s and American [[Biscuit (bread)|biscuit]]s.<ref>{{cite book | last1=Remland | first1=M.S. | last2=Jones | first2=T.S. | last3=Foeman | first3=A. | last4=Arévalo | first4=D.R. | title=Intercultural Communication: A Peacebuilding Perspective | publisher=Waveland Press | year=2014 | isbn=978-1-4786-2690-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WOlQBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA275 | access-date=November 7, 2017 | page=275}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sides|url=http://www.kfc.com/food/sides/|publisher=KFC US|access-date=February 23, 2013|archive-date=February 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226062718/http://www.kfc.com/food/sides/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Salads include the [[bean salad]], the [[Caesar salad]] and the [[garden salad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kfc.co.nz/menu/extras/bean-salad/|title=Bean Salad|work=kfc.co.nz|access-date=September 9, 2015|archive-date=August 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831021645/http://www.kfc.co.nz/menu/extras/bean-salad/|url-status=live}}</ref> In a number of territories, KFC sells [[onion ring]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Signature Sides |url=http://www.kfc-arabia.com/signeture_sides.html |publisher=KFC Arabia |access-date=February 2, 2013 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003031242/http://kfc-arabia.com/signeture_sides.html |archive-date=October 3, 2012 }}</ref> In most of Asia, several Sub-Saharan Africa and Pacific markets, rice based side dishes are often sold.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kaiman|first=Jonathan|title=China's fast-food pioneer struggles to keep customers saying 'YUM!'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jan/04/china-fast-food-pioneer|access-date=January 4, 2012|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=October 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003224319/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jan/04/china-fast-food-pioneer|url-status=live}}</ref> In Greece and Bulgaria, [[potato wedges]] are sold instead of French fries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seasoned Potato Wedges|url=http://www.kfc.com/food/sides/wedges.asp|publisher=KFC US|access-date=February 2, 2013|archive-date=January 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125032721/http://www.kfc.com/food/sides/wedges.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In a number of Eastern European locations and Portugal, beer is offered in addition to soft drinks.<ref name=russiabeer>{{cite web|title=Drinks|url=http://www.kfc.ru/menu/181|work=KFC Russia|publisher=Yum! Brands|access-date=March 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329010648/http://www.kfc.ru/menu/181|archive-date=March 29, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Drinks|url=http://www.kfc-ukraine.com/category/7|publisher=KFC Ukraine|language=uk|access-date=February 12, 2013|archive-date=January 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127201815/http://www.kfc-ukraine.com/category/7|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=port>{{cite web|title=Drinks|url=http://www.kfc.pt/acompanhamentos-bebidas|publisher=KFC Portugal|language=pt|access-date=September 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714145132/http://www.kfc.pt/acompanhamentos-bebidas|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2023 KFC branches in UK and Ireland introduced new 'signature fries' (fries coated in herbs and spice) in an attempt to improve the taste of the fries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/kfc-unveils-exciting-revamp-to-its-iconic-fries-recipe-introduces-signature-fries/articleshow/104290390.cms?from=mdr|title=KFC unveils exciting revamp to its iconic fries recipe, introduces 'Signature Fries'|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=October 9, 2023|access-date=March 5, 2024|archive-date=May 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510073444/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/kfc-unveils-exciting-revamp-to-its-iconic-fries-recipe-introduces-signature-fries/articleshow/104290390.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed" heights="110px">
File:KFC Hot Wings Fries.jpg|Hot wings and fries served in paper buckets
File:16-03-02-Hot-Wings-KFC-Berlin-N3S 3711.jpg|Hot wings menu set sold in Berlin
File:KFC Rice Set (Malaysia) and Chicken Nuggets.jpg|Hot & spicy chicken, colonel rice, coleslaw and nuggets in Malaysia
File:KFC Spaghetti Philippines.jpg|Spaghetti and gravy as sold in the Philippines
File:Pork congee with preserved eggs at KFC Tongzhou Guoyuan (20220711091757).jpg|KFC century eggs and pork congee sold in China in breakfast hours only
</gallery>

===Equipment===
KFC initially used stove-top covered [[cooking pot]]s to fry its chicken.<ref name=shelton>{{cite news|last=Coomes|first=Steve|title=Winston Shelton: The Colonel's Corporal|newspaper=[[Louisville Magazine]]|date=July 17, 2012|url=https://archive.louisville.com/content/winston-shelton-colonels-corporal-food-dining|access-date=October 1, 2013|archive-date=April 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411065952/https://archive.louisville.com/content/winston-shelton-colonels-corporal-food-dining|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 1960s, the officially recommended model was the L S Hartzog developed "KFC 20-Head Cooker", a large device that cost $16,000.<ref name=winston>{{cite web|title=History |url=http://www.winstonind.com/kfc/history/ |publisher=Winston Industries |access-date=October 1, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213804/http://www.winstonind.com/kfc/history/ |archive-date=October 4, 2013 }}</ref> The Hartzog model had no oil filtration system, meaning that filtering had to be done manually, and the pressure fryers occasionally exploded often harming employees.<ref name=shelton /> In 1969, inventor and engineer [[Winston L. Shelton]] developed the "Collectramatic" pressurized fryer to overcome the problems KFC faced in quickly frying chicken to meet growing customer demand. The Collectramatic used precision time and temperature controls and self-filtered the cooking oil – all while meeting Colonel Sanders' high standards.<ref name=shelton /> Fred Jeffries, then vice president of purchasing at KFC, claimed that the invention helped fuel the company's rapid expansion and success:

<blockquote>There's no way it (KFC) could have grown as it did without the Collectramatic. Stores were doing about $200,000 a year in sales on average with the pots...but they could never have done the $900,000 a year it became without Win's fryer. He (Shelton) helped set the stage for that with true engineering thinking.<ref name=shelton /></blockquote>

Although a number of franchisees bought the Collectramatic, which had the support of Colonel Sanders from 1970 onwards, John Y. Brown Jr. had given tacit approval to franchisees to exclusively use the older L S Hartzog fryer, saying "Though those old pots were damn dangerous, at least we knew they worked! I was mostly afraid these new fryers would break down in the middle of business."<ref name=shelton /> Brown warned franchisees that they were in violation of their contract if they used the Collectramatic.<ref name=shelton /> Brown held his ground on the issue until he learned that his father, [[John Y. Brown Sr.]], who owned multiple KFC franchises, was successfully using the Collectramatic in every franchise he owned.<ref name=shelton /> The issue was eventually resolved after Heublein purchased KFC, acquired Hartzog and nullified the contract.<ref name=winston /> The Collectramatic has been an approved pressure fryer for KFC from 1972 onwards.<ref name=winston />

From 2013 onwards, KFC has been transitioning from using Collectramatic cookers to pressure fryers produced by [[Henny Penny (manufacturer)|Henny Penny]], which supplies KFC with various equipment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hennypenny.com/press-release/henny-penny-wins-kfc-equipment-supplier-of-the-year-award-2/|title=Henny Penny Wins KFC Equipment Supplier of the Year Award|work=Henny Penny |access-date=July 16, 2019|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716011408/https://www.hennypenny.com/press-release/henny-penny-wins-kfc-equipment-supplier-of-the-year-award-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> The 'Velocity' series of pressure fryers includes increased load capacity, automatic oil filtration and increased oil longevity.

==Advertising==
{{Main|KFC advertising}}
[[File:MG 9177 (2444410374).jpg|thumb|A KFC sign in front of a restaurant in Washington, D.C.]]
Colonel Sanders was a key component of KFC advertising until his death in 1980. Despite his death, Sanders remains a key icon of the company as an "international symbol of hospitality".<ref name=harvardbiz>{{cite book|last=President and Fellows of Harvard College|title=PepsioCo's Restaurants|year=1994|publisher=[[Harvard Business School]]|location=Boston|page=9}}</ref> Early official slogans for the company included "North America's Hospitality Dish" (from 1956) and "We fix Sunday dinner seven nights a week".<ref>{{cite web|title=North America's Hospitality Dish|url=http://www.trademarkia.com/north-americas-hospitality-dish-72209166.html|work=Trademarkia|publisher=KFC Corporation|access-date=March 13, 2013|archive-date=November 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106224504/https://www.trademarkia.com/north-americas-hospitality-dish-72209166.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Dukes|first=Terry|title=KFC: The Animated Colonel Campaign|newspaper=[[Institute of Practitioners in Advertising]]|year=2000|publisher=WARC [World Advertising Center]|url=http://www.warc.com/Content/Documents/A35068_KFC_The_Animated_Colonel_Campaign.content?CID=A35068&ID=a93e70b1-4bea-4cbf-a2d8-436868cc296d&q=AID%3a35068&qr=|access-date=September 26, 2013|archive-date=January 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110204737/https://www.warc.com/content/paywall/article/A35068_KFC_The_Animated_Colonel_Campaign/35068|url-status=live}}</ref> The "finger lickin' good" slogan was used from 1956 and went on to become one of the best-known slogans of the 20th century.<ref name="Momen Putrym, Goldie-2010" /> The trademark expired in the US in 2006.<ref>{{cite news|last=Reynolds|first=John|title=Profile: Jennelle Tilling, vice-president of marketing, UK and Ireland at KFC|url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/1063711/profile-jennelle-tilling-vice-president-marketing-uk-ireland-kfc|access-date=January 28, 2013|newspaper=[[PR Week]]|date=April 6, 2011|archive-date=March 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326021006/http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/1063711/profile-jennelle-tilling-vice-president-marketing-uk-ireland-kfc|url-status=live}}</ref> The first KFC logo was introduced in 1952 and featured a "Kentucky Fried Chicken" typeface and a logo of the Colonel.<ref name=logohist>{{cite web|last=Rogers|first=Ian|title=The Mystery of the Colonel|date=June 9, 2012 |url=http://www.greynotgrey.com/blog/2012/06/09/the-mystery-of-the-colonel/|publisher=Grey Not Grey|access-date=April 3, 2014|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124182456/http://greynotgrey.com/blog/2012/06/09/the-mystery-of-the-colonel/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1962, [[Dave Thomas (businessman)|Dave Thomas]] took Colonel Sanders' bucket and turned it into a sign<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/31072/wendys-founder-dave-thomas-worked-colonel-sanders |last=Patrick |first=Colin |date=July 1, 2012 |title=Wendy's Founder Dave Thomas Worked for Colonel Sanders |work=[[Mental Floss]] |access-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216034016/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/31072/wendys-founder-dave-thomas-worked-colonel-sanders |url-status=live }}</ref> that revolved in a circular motion in front of almost every American KFC outlet.<ref>Carpenter, B. (2004). Dave Thomas. In W. L. O'Neill & K. T. Jackson (Eds.), ''The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives'' (2004 ed.). Charles Scribner's Sons.</ref>

Advertising played a key role at KFC after it was sold by Sanders and the company began to advertise on US television with a budget of US$4 million in 1966.<ref name=rood>{{cite news|last=Rood|first=George|title=Accidental Competitor in Chicken Game Is Winner|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=January 5, 1969}}</ref> In order to fund nationwide advertising campaigns, the Kentucky Fried Chicken Advertising Co-Op was established, giving franchisees 10 votes and the company three when deciding on budgets and campaigns. In 1969, KFC hired its first national advertising agency, [[Leo Burnett]].<ref name=Darden1 /> A notable Burnett campaign in 1972 was the "Get a bucket of chicken, have a barrel of fun" [[jingle]], performed by [[Barry Manilow]].<ref name=Darden1 /> By 1976, KFC was one of the largest advertisers in the US.<ref name="Georgescu2005">{{cite book|last=Georgescu|first=Peter|title=The Source of Success: Five Enduring Principles at the Heart of Real Leadership|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F2rJlkLq-twC&pg=PA75|access-date=September 27, 2013|date=July 2005|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]]|isbn=978-0-7879-8133-4|page=75|archive-date=March 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151151/https://books.google.com/books?id=F2rJlkLq-twC&pg=PA75|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Controversies and criticism==
{{See also|People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals#Campaigns and consumer boycotts}}
[[File:Boycott KFC.jpg|thumb|Protesters demonstrating outside a KFC restaurant in [[Royal Oak, Michigan]] (2007)]]
Since the beginning of the 21st century, fast food has been criticized for its [[animal welfare]] record, its links to [[obesity]] and its environmental impact.<ref>{{cite news|last=Barnett|first=Michael|title=Colonel Sanders' new modern army of outlets|url=http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/colonel-sanders-new-modern-army-of-outlets/3021690.article|access-date=February 11, 2013|newspaper=[[Marketing Week]]|date=December 16, 2010|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185241/http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/colonel-sanders-new-modern-army-of-outlets/3021690.article|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Eric Schlosser]]'s book ''[[Fast Food Nation]]'' (2002) and [[Morgan Spurlock]]'s film ''[[Super Size Me]]'' (2004) reflected these concerns.<ref name="Liddle, Alan-1990" /> Since 2003, [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]] (PETA) has protested KFC's choice of poultry suppliers worldwide.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Yaziji, Michael |author2=Doh, Jonathan |title=NGOs and Corporations: Conflict and Collaboration |series=Business, Value Creation, and Society |chapter=Case illustration: PETA and KFC |pages=112–114 |year=2009 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |isbn=978-0-521-86684-2}}</ref> The exception is KFC Canada, which signed an agreement pledging to only use "animal-friendly" suppliers.<ref name="WilliamsChampion2011">{{cite book|author1=Chuck Williams|author2=Terry Champion|author3=Ike Hall|title=MGMT|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8GkHKO0T4P8C&pg=PA78|year=2011|publisher=[[Cengage Learning]]|isbn=978-0-17-650235-5|page=78|access-date=February 21, 2016|archive-date=March 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151241/https://books.google.com/books?id=8GkHKO0T4P8C&pg=PA78|url-status=live}}</ref> President of KFC's US division Gregg Dedrick said PETA mischaracterized KFC as a poultry producer rather than a purchaser of chickens.<ref name="Swann2010">{{cite book|last=Swann|first=Patricia|title=Cases in Public Relations Management|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uQCogK0r4g4C&pg=PA121|access-date=September 26, 2013|date=April 2010|publisher=[[Routledge]]|isbn=978-0-203-85136-4|pages=121–122|archive-date=March 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151206/https://books.google.com/books?id=uQCogK0r4g4C&pg=PA121|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2008, Yum! stated: "[As] a major purchaser of food products, [Yum!] has the opportunity and responsibility to influence the way animals supplied to us are treated. We take that responsibility very seriously, and we are monitoring our suppliers on an ongoing basis."<ref name=an08>{{cite book|title=Annual Report|year=2008|publisher=Yum! Brands|location=Louisville|page=52|url=http://yum.com/investors/annualreport/08annualreport/docs/annualReport08.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://yum.com/investors/annualreport/08annualreport/docs/annualReport08.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2013}}</ref>

In 2006, [[Greenpeace]] accused KFC Europe of sourcing the [[soya bean]] for its chicken feed from [[Cargill]], which [[Criticisms of Cargill#Controversy around Santarém port and Amazon deforestation|had been accused]] of clearing large swathes of the [[Amazon rainforest]] in order to grow the crop.<ref name=cargill>{{cite news |first1=Felicity |last1=Lawrence |first2=John |last2=Vidal |title=Food giants to boycott illegal Amazon soya |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jul/24/brazil.foodanddrink |access-date=August 27, 2016 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=July 24, 2006 |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126074955/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jul/24/brazil.foodanddrink |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2010, according to ''[[The Guardian]]'', "in the US where fried chicken remains closely associated with age-old racist stereotypes about black people in the once segregated south", KFC Australia aired the 30-second promotion on television named "KFC's cricket survival guide" which shows a white [[cricket]] fan surrounded by black fans from the opposing team. The television announcer asks, "Need a tip when you're stuck in an awkward situation?" The fan passes around his "bucket of KFC", even though the commercial was intended for an Australian audience, which found its way to social media in the United States, prompting sharp disapproval. KFC Australia made a statement to the fact the commercial was "misinterpreted by a segment of people in the US" and it was a "light-hearted reference to the West Indian cricket team" and "The ad was reproduced online in the US without KFC's permission, where we are told a culturally-based stereotype exists, leading to the incorrect assertion of racism...We unequivocally condemn discrimination of any type and have a proud history as one of the world's leading employers for diversity".<ref>{{cite news |last=Clark |first=Andrew |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/jan/06/kfc-advertisement-accused-of-racism |title=KFC accused of racism over Australian advertisement |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=January 6, 2010 |access-date=August 27, 2016 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109031519/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/jan/06/kfc-advertisement-accused-of-racism |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2012, Greenpeace accused KFC of sourcing [[paper pulp]] for its food packaging from [[Deforestation in Indonesia|Indonesian]] rainforest wood.<ref name=rainforest>{{cite news|author1=Jim Efstathiou Jr.|author2=Leslie Patton|title=KFC Using Rain-Forest Wood in Boxes, Greenpeace Says|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-23/kfc-chicken-buckets-made-with-rain-forest-wood-greenpeace-finds.html|access-date=November 12, 2013|newspaper=[[Bloomberg News]]|date=June 13, 2012|archive-date=November 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112211433/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-23/kfc-chicken-buckets-made-with-rain-forest-wood-greenpeace-finds.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Independent forensic tests showed that some packaging contained more than 50 percent mixed tropical hardwood fiber, sourced from [[Asia Pulp & Paper]] (APP).<ref name="Businessweek-2012">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-23/kfc-chicken-buckets-made-with-rain-forest-wood-greenpeace-finds |title=KFC Using Rain-Forest Wood in Boxes, Greenpeace Says |magazine=[[Businessweek]] |date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=October 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105151725/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-23/kfc-chicken-buckets-made-with-rain-forest-wood-greenpeace-finds |archive-date=November 5, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.supplymanagement.com/news/2012/kfc-denies-greenpeace-sourcing-allegations/ |author=Badasha, Kamalpreet |title=KFC denies Greenpeace sourcing allegations |magazine=[[Supply Management (magazine)|Supply Management]] |date=May 24, 2012 |access-date=October 27, 2012 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924112110/http://www.supplymanagement.com/news/2012/kfc-denies-greenpeace-sourcing-allegations/ |url-status=live }}</ref> APP said such fiber can be found in recycled paper, or: "It can also come from tree residues that are cleared, after a forest area has become degraded, logged-over or burned, as part of a sustainable development plan. APP has strict policies and practices in place to ensure that only residues from legal plantation development on degraded or logged-over forest areas and sustainable wood fiber enters the production supply chain."<ref name="Businessweek-2012" /> KFC said: "From a global perspective, 60 percent of the paper products that Yum! (our parent company) sources are from sustainable sources. Our suppliers are working towards making it 100 percent."<ref name=rainforest />

In December 2012, the chain was criticized in China when it was discovered that a number of KFC suppliers had been using [[growth hormone]]s and an excessive amount of [[antibiotics]] on its poultry in ways that violated Chinese law.<ref name="Hsu-2013">{{cite news|last=Hsu|first=Tiffany|title=After KFC chicken scare, Yum plans to 'stay the course in China'|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-kfc-chicken-china-yum-20130205,0,5847697.story|access-date=February 5, 2013|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=February 5, 2013|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029211935/http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-kfc-chicken-china-yum-20130205,0,5847697.story|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2013, Yum! CEO David Novak admitted that the scandal had been "longer lasting and more impactful than we ever imagined".<ref name="Hsu-2013" /> The issue is of major concern to Yum!, which earns almost half of its profits from China, largely through the KFC brand. In March 2013, Yum! reported that sales had rebounded in February, but that lower sales in December and January would result in a decline in same-store sales of 20 percent in the first quarter.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cai|first=Debbie|title=Yum's China Sales Fall 20% as It Tries to Win Back KFC Customers|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324281004578354771518385886|access-date=March 12, 2013|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=March 11, 2013|archive-date=November 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121033506/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324281004578354771518385886|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, KFC was fined £950,000 after two workers in the UK were scalded by boiling hot gravy. The company admitted to charges of failing in a duty of care to employees and was ordered by [[Teesside Crown Court]] in [[Middlesbrough]] to pay fines of £800,000 and £150,000.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2017-01-20/kfc-fined-nearly-1m-after-two-teesside-workers-scalded-by-boiling-hot-gravy/|title=KFC fined nearly £1m after two workers scalded by boiling hot gravy|date=January 20, 2017|work=ITV News|access-date=October 3, 2017|archive-date=October 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003124818/http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2017-01-20/kfc-fined-nearly-1m-after-two-teesside-workers-scalded-by-boiling-hot-gravy/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2018, logistics mismanagement by [[DHL]], which had been selected by KFC UK as their new delivery partner, caused a chicken shortage in the United Kingdom – KFC's largest market in Europe – forcing the company to temporarily close hundreds of restaurants around the country.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/02/20/news/kfc-chicken-shortage-uk-stores/index.html|title=KFC chicken shortage will hit UK stores all week|last=Petroff|first=Alanna|date=February 20, 2018|work=CNN|access-date=February 23, 2018|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025656/https://money.cnn.com/2018/02/20/news/kfc-chicken-shortage-uk-stores/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> KFC apologized by taking out adverts in British newspapers showing the company's initials rearranged to read "FCK", followed by an apology, which was well received.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/02/23/news/kfc-apology-ad-shortage-chicken/index.html|title=KFC apologizes for chicken shortage with a hilarious hidden message|last=Petroff|first=Alanna|date=February 23, 2018|work=CNN|access-date=February 23, 2018|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109001312/https://money.cnn.com/2018/02/23/news/kfc-apology-ad-shortage-chicken/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2021, Finland's first KFC restaurant was opened at the [[Itis shopping center]] in [[Itäkeskus]], Helsinki. A few days before the opening day, a tent had appeared in front of the restaurant, where a man who had kept his identity secret for a few days had stayed,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/helsinki/art-2000008394509.html|title=Joku pystytti teltan pian avattavan KFC-ravintolan eteen Itäkeskuksessa ja värjöttelee sateessa varpaat jäässä jo kolmatta päivää: "Kanoista tykkään"|work=[[Helsingin Sanomat]]|date=November 10, 2021|access-date=November 12, 2021|language=fi|archive-date=November 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112044841/https://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/helsinki/art-2000008394509.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and who on the opening day revealed himself to the public as a [[vegan]] activist defending [[animal rights]].<ref name="yle"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/96eeef0e-27fe-461f-8382-832309be4d2a|title=KFC:n telttamies olikin aktivisti: Mielenosoittajat talutettiin ulos – sisällä hurrattiin kanansyönnille|work=[[Iltalehti]]|date=November 11, 2021|access-date=November 12, 2021|language=fi|archive-date=November 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112044838/https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/96eeef0e-27fe-461f-8382-832309be4d2a|url-status=live}}</ref> After trying to give his speech to those present, the security company carried him away.<ref name="yle">{{cite web|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12184346|title=Vegan "chicken lover" protests KFC launch in Finland|work=[[Yle News]]|date=November 11, 2021|access-date=November 12, 2021|archive-date=November 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112044841/https://yle.fi/news/3-12184346|url-status=live}}</ref> Even before the opening of the restaurant, in October, news of a controversy over the procurement of a broiler for food from Poland; the cause is mainly related to the risk of [[salmonella]] in broilers, which is a significant problem in Poland, whereas its prevalence in Finland is low.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 5, 2022 |title=Major companies including McDonald's are under fire for failing to boycott Russia |url=https://happymag.tv/mcdonalds-criticised-for-failing-to-boycott-russia/ |access-date=March 6, 2022 |website=Happy Mag |archive-date=March 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306122421/https://happymag.tv/mcdonalds-criticised-for-failing-to-boycott-russia/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], a number of companies have faced growing pressure to halt operations in Russia but have not yet done so. This includes KFC, which has over 1,000 outlets in Russia, more than any other Western fast food chain.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine invasion: Attention turns to McDonald's and crypto exchanges, yet to take a stand against Russia |url=https://news.sky.com/story/attention-turns-to-mcdonalds-and-cryptocurrency-exchanges-as-holdouts-in-russia-exodus-12557535 |access-date=March 6, 2022 |website=Sky News|archive-date=March 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306142102/https://news.sky.com/story/attention-turns-to-mcdonalds-and-cryptocurrency-exchanges-as-holdouts-in-russia-exodus-12557535 |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite news |last=Creswell |first=Julie |date=March 5, 2022 |title=Fast-food chains and food producers stay open in Russia, and mostly quiet about Ukraine. |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/world/europe/russia-food-ukraine.html |access-date=March 6, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309092621/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/world/europe/russia-food-ukraine.html |url-status=live }}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/news-in-brief/20248-kfc-embroiled-in-minor-controversy-for-decision-to-import-chicken-to-finland.html|title=KFC embroiled in minor controversy for decision to import chicken to Finland|first=Tahira|last=Sequeira|work=[[Helsinki Times]]|date=October 28, 2021|access-date=November 12, 2021|archive-date=November 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112044834/https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/news-in-brief/20248-kfc-embroiled-in-minor-controversy-for-decision-to-import-chicken-to-finland.html|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite web |last=Winchester |first=Levi |date=March 4, 2022 |title=McDonald's under pressure for opening as 'normal' in Russia despite Ukraine war |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/mcdonalds-under-fire-failing-boycott-26384122 |access-date=March 6, 2022 |website=mirror |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308182517/https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/mcdonalds-under-fire-failing-boycott-26384122 |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite web |last1=Marler |first1=Bill |date=February 28, 2022 |title=KFC, McDonald's, Burger King, Starbucks and Pizza Hut, close your Russian Restaurants until Putin removes troops from Ukraine |url=https://www.marlerblog.com/lawyer-oped/kfc-mcdonalds-burger-king-starbucks-and-pizza-hut-close-your-russian-restaurants-until-putin-removes-troops-from-ukraine/ |access-date=March 6, 2022 |website=Marler Blog |archive-date=March 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306121823/https://www.marlerblog.com/lawyer-oped/kfc-mcdonalds-burger-king-starbucks-and-pizza-hut-close-your-russian-restaurants-until-putin-removes-troops-from-ukraine/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
However, within a few years, all Russian KFC restaurants were rebranded as "Rostic's".<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2024 |title=Владелец бренда Rostic's выкупил одного из крупнейших франчайзи KFC |url=https://www.forbes.ru/franchises/527114-vladelec-brenda-rostic-s-vykupil-odnogo-iz-krupnejsih-francajzi-kfc |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=forbes.ru |language=ru |archive-date=July 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250713141908/https://www.forbes.ru/franchises/527114-vladelec-brenda-rostic-s-vykupil-odnogo-iz-krupnejsih-francajzi-kfc |url-status=live }}</ref>

In early 2022 a promotional video was shot with influencer [[Niko Omilana]] showing a chicken farm in the KFC supply chain. The video depicted birds with a good quality of life. Animal rights activists entered the same farm months later and found vastly different conditions, with instances of "severe overcrowding" and "lame and dead birds". Paul Roger, a vet and founder member of AWSELVA, said birds in the footage were exhibiting "behavioural signs of stress such as feather pecking and topical skin infection". KFC's actions were branded "misleading".<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 12, 2022 |title=KFC faces backlash over 'misleading' portrayal of UK chicken farming |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/12/kfc-faces-backlash-over-misleading-portrayal-of-chicken-farming-niko-omilana |access-date=August 24, 2022 |website=the Guardian |archive-date=April 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412083129/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/12/kfc-faces-backlash-over-misleading-portrayal-of-chicken-farming-niko-omilana |url-status=live }}</ref>

On November 9, 2022, KFC Germany issued an announcement inviting its German audience to celebrate [[Kristallnacht]] with "Cheesy Chicken". An apology was issued shortly afterwards, blaming the original message as an "error in our system".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Binley |first1=Alex |title=KFC apologises after German Kristallnacht promotion |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63499057 |access-date=November 10, 2022 |work=BBC News |date=November 10, 2022 |archive-date=November 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110152338/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63499057 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2024, the closure of the outlet in [[Malaysia]] was reported due to the ongoing [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=KFC Malaysia temporarily closes outlets amid Gaza boycott |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2024/5/3/kfc-malaysia-temporarily-closes-outlets-amid-gaza-boycott |access-date=August 6, 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |archive-date=May 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523162956/https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2024/5/3/kfc-malaysia-temporarily-closes-outlets-amid-gaza-boycott |url-status=live }}</ref> Attacks on two outlets in [[Baghdad]], [[Iraq]] were also reported.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Two KFC outlets attacked in Baghdad over Gaza war, police sources say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/two-kfc-outlets-attacked-baghdad-over-gaza-war-police-sources-say-2024-05-27/ |access-date=August 6, 2024 |work=Reuters |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528032028/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/two-kfc-outlets-attacked-baghdad-over-gaza-war-police-sources-say-2024-05-27/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2024, KFC announced that it would not meet the [[Better Chicken Commitment]], an animal welfare pledge made in 2019. The commitment includes several welfare standards, such as adopting slower-growing breeds by 2026, but as of 2024, only 1% of KFC's chickens were from such breeds.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ungoed-Thomas |first=Jon |date=November 23, 2024 |title=KFC drops pledge to stop using 'Frankenchickens' in the UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/food/2024/nov/23/kfc-drops-pledge-to-stop-using-frankenchickens-in-the-uk |access-date=December 8, 2024 |work=The Observer |issn=0029-7712}}</ref>

In June 2025, KFC temporarily closed all its 11 restaurants in Denmark and dismissed its franchise holder in the country, after a TV show (broadcast on June 23) revealed that in multiple restaurants, employees were systematically falsifying ("extending") use-by dates on raw chicken, and possibly other problems. Before broadcast, the questions by the TV reporter caused the national food authority to launch simultaneous inspection raids on all 11 restaurants. None got an all-clear, seven received strict warnings and four were given punishments (fines/charges or forced instant closure). Among the issues found by the authorities were moldy residue in multiple restaurants; a common procedure of reusing the breading mix continuously instead of using fresh breading mix every three hours, as stated in written procedures that were hastily changed during the raids (some inspections only saw the new procedure, which they found dubious); a common thawing procedure (with no written risk assessment documentation) for raw chicken which would allow chicken to be served up to four days after the start of defrosting and made it difficult to confirm the actual age of the raw chicken; and suspect messages between restaurant bosses and the national franchise holder about deceiving inspectors from both the government and KFC Western Europe. Furthermore, various formal and legal issues were found in multiple restaurants, such as dirty waste buckets too close to fresh food, parts of operations done under the company ID of the parent company instead of the actual restaurant as registered with food safety authorities, and incomplete paperwork on deliveries.<ref>{{Cite web |date= June 2, 2024 |title= (inspection) Results |access-date= June 25, 2025 |publisher= Fødevarestyrelsen |url= https://www.findsmiley.dk/Sider/Search.aspx?k=KFC |archive-date= June 25, 2025 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250625230453/https://www.findsmiley.dk/Sider/Search.aspx%3Fk%3DKFC |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date= June 23, 2025 |last= Orry |first= Frederik |title= Razzia på KFC-restauranter: Kontant afslører ommærkning af kylling |publisher= [[DR (broadcaster)|DR]]|access-date= June 25, 2025 |url= https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/penge/kontant/razzia-paa-kfc-restauranter-kontant-afsloerer-ommaerkning-af-kylling |archive-date= June 25, 2025 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250625230453/https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/penge/kontant/razzia-paa-kfc-restauranter-kontant-afsloerer-ommaerkning-af-kylling |url-status= live }}</ref>

In September 2025, Czech journalist {{ill|Jan Tuna|cs}} reported that the practices of artificially extending the shelf life of meat that led to the closure of all KFC outlets in Denmark may also be used by some branches in the Czech Republic. He cited the testimony of a former employee from the [[Jablonec nad Nisou]] branch.<ref>{{cite web |last=Vrabec|first=Luboš |title=Podvody s trvanlivostí masa v jabloneckém KFC? Všechny předpisy dodržujeme, zní od provozovatele |url=https://liberecka.drbna.cz/zpravy/spolecnost/40317-podvody-s-trvanlivosti-masa-v-jabloneckem-kfc-vsechny-predpisy-dodrzujeme-zni-od-provozovatele.html |website=Liberecká Drbna |access-date=September 24, 2025 |language=cs |archive-date=September 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250913045029/https://liberecka.drbna.cz/zpravy/spolecnost/40317-podvody-s-trvanlivosti-masa-v-jabloneckem-kfc-vsechny-predpisy-dodrzujeme-zni-od-provozovatele.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Dobiáš |first=Marek |title=Naprostý humus v českém KFC? Prý prodává prošlé maso, které připravují nemocní zaměstnanci |url=https://eprehledne.cz/naprosty-humus-v-ceskem-kfc-prodava-prosle-maso-a-jidlo-pripravuji-lide-s-nudli-u-nosu/ |website=ePřehledně |access-date=September 24, 2025 |language=cs |date=September 8, 2025 |archive-date=September 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250919080839/https://eprehledne.cz/naprosty-humus-v-ceskem-kfc-prodava-prosle-maso-a-jidlo-pripravuji-lide-s-nudli-u-nosu/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Spěvák |first=Přemysl |title=Podvod s prošlým kuřecím masem? Porušení postupů bychom odhalili, odmítá KFC |url=https://www.denik.cz/z_domova/kfc-prosle-kureci-maso-jan-tuna.html |website=[[Deník]] |access-date=September 24, 2025 |language=cs |date=September 5, 2025 |publisher=[[Vltava Labe Media]] |archive-date=September 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250916155418/https://www.denik.cz/z_domova/kfc-prosle-kureci-maso-jan-tuna.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The State Agricultural and Food Inspection Authority later revealed that similar practices were used by the KFC outlet in [[Liberec]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Inspekce zkontrolovala KFC v Liberci. Za prošlé maso padla pokuta |url=https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/ekonomika-firmy-inspekce-na-popud-novinare-zkontrolovala-kfc-v-liberci-padla-pokuta-286514 |website=[[Seznam Zprávy]] |access-date=September 24, 2025 |language=cs |date=September 19, 2025 |agency=[[Czech News Agency]] |archive-date=September 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250921045659/https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/ekonomika-firmy-inspekce-na-popud-novinare-zkontrolovala-kfc-v-liberci-padla-pokuta-286514 |url-status=live }}</ref> The inspection subsequently decided to carry out mass inspections of KFC restaurants throughout the country.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tichý |first=Adam |title=Inspekce se chystá na KFC, podezření na prošlé maso bere "velmi vážně" |url=https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/domaci-zivot-v-cesku-inspekce-resi-kfc-kvuli-proslemu-masu-bereme-to-velmi-vazne-ujistuje-286831 |website=[[Seznam Zprávy]] |access-date=September 24, 2025 |language=cs |date=September 23, 2025 |archive-date=September 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250923163555/https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/domaci-zivot-v-cesku-inspekce-resi-kfc-kvuli-proslemu-masu-bereme-to-velmi-vazne-ujistuje-286831 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November the spokesperson of the State Agricultural and Food Inspection Authority revealed that employees of the KFC outlet in Prague-[[Dejvice]] defrosted chicken meat in standing water, which increases microbiological risks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Další průšvih KFC: Inspekce odhalila rizikové rozmrazování masa |url=https://cnn.iprima.cz/dalsi-prusvih-kfc-inspekce-odhalila-rizikove-rozmrazovani-masa-491358 |website=[[CNN Prima News]]|publisher=Prima F.T.V.|access-date=November 11, 2025 |language=cs |date=November 11, 2025 |agency=[[Czech News Agency]]}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|United States|Kentucky|Companies|Food}}
* [[Cuisine of the Southern United States]]
* [[List of chicken restaurants]]
* [[List of fast food restaurant chains]]
* [[List of major employers in Louisville, Kentucky]]
* [[KFC in China]]
* [[KFC in Japan]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name="history">{{cite news|last=Grimes|first=William|title=In Kentucky, Fried Chicken History|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/travel/in-kentucky-fried-chicken-history.html?pagewanted=all|newspaper=New York Times|date=August 26, 2012|access-date=September 27, 2013|archive-date=December 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230063948/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/travel/in-kentucky-fried-chicken-history.html?pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref>
<!--ref name="history2">{{cite web|url=http://www.kfc.co.za/zone/post/media-explore-kfcs-kitchen/|title=Media Explore KFC'S Kitchen|access-date=October 28, 2012|publisher=KFC South Africa|year=2012|author=KFC}}</ref-->
<ref name="Liddle, Alan-1990">{{cite news |title=Pete Harman |author=Liddle, Alan |newspaper=Nation's Restaurant News |date=May 21, 1990}}</ref>
<ref name="Liddle, Alan-1996">{{cite news |title=Leon W. 'Pete' Harman: the operational father of KFC has many goals&nbsp;— and retiring isn't one of them |author=Liddle, Alan |url=http://business.highbeam.com/409700/article-1G1-18779118/leon-w-pete-harman-operational-father-kfc-has-many |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508210957/http://business.highbeam.com/409700/article-1G1-18779118/leon-w-pete-harman-operational-father-kfc-has-many |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 8, 2013 |newspaper=Nation's Restaurant News |date=October 14, 1996 |access-date=July 1, 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="Cottreli-1980">{{cite news|last=Cottreli|first=Robert|title=Obituary: Colonel Sanders|newspaper=Financial Times|date=December 17, 1980}}</ref>
<ref name="Barmash-1971">{{cite news|last=Barmash|first=Isadore|title=Chief Expected to Leave Kentucky Fried Chicken|newspaper=New York Times|date=July 23, 1971}}</ref>
<ref name="Stevenson-1986">{{cite news|last=Stevenson|first=Richard W.|title=Pepsico to Acquire Kentucky Fried: Deal Worth $850 Million|newspaper=New York Times|date=July 25, 1986}}</ref>
<ref name="Brooks, Nancy Rivera-1986">{{cite news |title=Pepsico to Buy Kentucky Fried From RJR Nabisco – $850-Million Deal Is Good for Both Firms-Analysts |author=Brooks, Nancy Rivera |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-07-25-fi-0-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=July 25, 1986 |access-date=June 30, 2012 |archive-date=October 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015120730/http://articles.latimes.com/1986-07-25/business/fi-0_1_rjr-nabisco |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="Seth Stevenson-2004">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/business/ad_report_card/2004/05/alphabet_soup.html |title=Alphabet Soup |author=Seth Stevenson |date=May 3, 2004 |magazine=Slate |access-date=June 28, 2012 |archive-date=May 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516154844/http://www.slate.com/articles/business/ad_report_card/2004/05/alphabet_soup.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="Chicago Tribune-1997">{{cite news | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/10/07/pepsico-to-tricon/ | work=Chicago Tribune | title=Pepsico To Tricon | date=October 7, 1997 | access-date=September 27, 2013 | archive-date=October 2, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002142013/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1997-10-07/business/9710070298_1_drinks-and-frito-lay-snacks-pepsico-food-systems-restaurant-supply-restaurant-supply-unit | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="New York Times-1997">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/28/business/pepsico-picks-name-for-planned-spinoff.html | work=New York Times | title=Pepsico Picks Name For Planned Spinoff | date=June 28, 1997 | access-date=September 27, 2013 | archive-date=May 5, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505130643/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/28/business/pepsico-picks-name-for-planned-spinoff.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="Kleber2000">{{cite book|author=Kleber, John E.|title=The Encyclopedia of Louisville|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pXbYITw4ZesC|access-date=September 11, 2012|date=December 4, 2000|publisher=University Press of Kentucky|isbn=978-0-8131-2100-0|page=482|archive-date=March 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151808/https://books.google.com/books?id=pXbYITw4ZesC|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="Brady, Diane-2012">{{cite news |title=KFC's Big Game of Chicken |author=Brady, Diane |url=http://mobile.businessweek.com/articles/2012-03-29/kfcs-big-game-of-chicken |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115170657/http://mobile.businessweek.com/articles/2012-03-29/kfcs-big-game-of-chicken |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 15, 2013 |newspaper=Businessweek |date=March 29, 2012 |access-date=July 1, 2012 }}</ref>
<ref name="Chu, Kathy-2012">{{cite news | author=Chu, Kathy | url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2012-02-26/yum-brands-david-novak-global-reach/53260414/1 | work=USA Today | title=Yum Brands CEO takes on the world – a bite at a time | date=February 27, 2012 | access-date=September 27, 2013 | archive-date=October 1, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001083630/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2012-02-26/yum-brands-david-novak-global-reach/53260414/1 | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="Momen Putrym, Goldie-2010">{{cite web|author=Momen Putrym, Goldie|url=http://news.sky.com/story/838088/so-good-kfc-drops-famous-catchphrase |title=So Good? KFC Drops Famous Catchphrase |publisher=Sky News |date=February 21, 2010 |access-date=October 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719094251/http://news.sky.com/story/838088/so-good-kfc-drops-famous-catchphrase |archive-date=July 19, 2012}}</ref>
<!--<ref name="AutoFE-57">{{cite web|url=http://www.trademarkia.com/its-finger-lickin-good-72209171.html |title=IT'S FINGER LICKIN' GOOD&nbsp;— Reviews & Brand Information&nbsp;— KFC Corporation Louisville, TX&nbsp;— Serial Number: 72209171 |publisher=Trademarkia |access-date=October 27, 2012}}</ref>
<ref name=autogenerated25>{{cite news|title=KFC creates animated Colonel for new ads|newspaper=Associated Press|date=September 4, 1998}}</ref>-->
}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Fast food in North America}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Portal bar|Food}}

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[[Category:KFC| ]]
[[Category:1930 establishments in Kentucky]]
[[Category:1964 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:1971 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:1986 mergers and acquisitions]]
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[[Category:American corporate subsidiaries]]
[[Category:Chicken chains of the United States]]
[[Category:Companies based in Louisville, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of the United States]]
[[Category:Fast-food poultry restaurants]]
[[Category:Cuisine of Kentucky]]
[[Category:Laurel County, Kentucky]]
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[[Category:Multinational food companies]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1930]]
[[Category:Restaurants in Louisville, Kentucky]]
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