CHINA – QSR operator Yum! China Holdings has opened its 1000th KFC outlet in the Chinese province of Guangzhou.
Yum China Holdings continues to strengthen its presence in the Chinese market, celebrating the opening of its milestone millennial KFC outlet alongside the centurion KCOFFEE café in Guangdong province.
The dual openings underscore the success of Yum China’s integrated business model, which has driven the expansion of the KCOFFEE concept to over 500 locations nationwide, with plans to reach 600 by the end of 2024.
KFC first entered China in 1987 with a store in Beijing’s Qianmen neighborhood and has since grown to an impressive 11,000 locations across the country.
Guangdong province, in particular, has played a pivotal role in the brand’s expansion, serving as a hub for piloting new products and business models, such as automated food trucks and breakfast kiosks in subway stations.
In October 2024, KFC introduced its KPRO concept store in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, focusing on healthy and nutritionally balanced meals.
KFC China General Manager Warton Wang reaffirmed the company’s commitment to quality and innovation, stating, “As we continue to grow in China, KFC remains dedicated to serving high-quality food, delivering excellent customer experiences, and driving operational efficiency to capture market opportunities and ensure sustainable growth.”
The new store openings coincide with Yum China’s strong financial performance in the third quarter of 2024. The company reported a 5% year-on-year revenue increase, reaching a record 3.07 billion yuan (US$424 million).
During the quarter, 438 new stores were launched, with franchisees contributing 145 of these, accounting for about one-third of the total.
Delivery sales emerged as a key growth driver, rising 18% year-on-year and contributing roughly 40% to KFC and Pizza Hut’s combined revenue.
While same-store sales dipped by 3%, same-store transactions grew by 1%, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of positive growth in this metric.
The company said its strategic focus on operational efficiency and innovation has yielded impressive results, with a total store count reaching 15,861, including 11,283 KFC and 3,606 Pizza Hut locations.
These achievements reflect Yum China’s commitment to innovation and market responsiveness, ensuring its continued prominence in China’s competitive foodservice sector.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
