List of countries with KFC franchises

This is a list of countries with KFC franchises.

As of early 2026, there are at least 31,980 KFC outlets in 150 countries and territories in the world. 10,000 of those stores are in China alone. The first KFC franchise opened in the United States in 1952. The first overseas franchise was established in the United Kingdom in May 1965. A large number of Caribbean and developed Western markets entered by the early 1970s. This was followed by expansion throughout the Middle East and developed Asian markets from the mid-1970s and into the 1980s. China was entered in 1987. Expansions were made into most of Europe and South America in the early 1990s. The most recent area of expansion is Africa, where the company is targeting the continent's growing middle class.

The major markets for KFC include United States, Canada, Japan, India, South Africa, United Kingdom, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, and China.

The global operations are overseen by Yum International, which is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. Yum! typically grant a master franchise to a local operator, or take a stake in a joint venture between such a company and itself. In 11 countries, Yum! International manages KFC directly, including China, Russia and India. Worldwide, major franchise holders range from large local conglomerates such as Jardines and Doosan Group, to companies specifically established to run restaurants franchises, such as AmRest and even investment firms such as the Carlyle Group. In Malaysia and Indonesia, the major franchise holders are publicly listed companies. On the other hand, in smaller markets such as some Caribbean islands, the franchises may be operated by a single individual.

Current markets

Africa Country/regionYear enteredOutletsFirst outletOwner/major operator Notes Algeria20245AlgiersAzadea GroupKFC opened in Algeria on April 14, 2024, but it was closed by local authorities two days later, because of Algerians protesting against KFC and supporting Palestine as part of the Israeli boycott. However, it opened again without the company logo, and a new outlet opened in the City Center mall in Algiers. Angola 2012 9 Maianga, Luanda Grupo Ibersol Botswana 1992 16 Gaborone Baobab Energy Botswana Egypt 1973 164 Cairo Americana Group Eswatini 1993 10 Mbabane KFC Africa Gabon 2019 5 Libreville Resto Group Ghana 2011 34 Greater Accra Mohinani Group Ivory Coast 2018 6 Abidjan, Marcory Vivo Energy Kenya 2011 39 Nairobi Kuku Foods East Africa Lesotho 2012–2023; 2023-present 8 Maseru KFC Baobab Lesotho (Pty) Ltd Madagascar 2019 3 Antananarivo Pick n Eat Ltd The first Western fast food chain in the country. Malawi 2012 3 Blantyre Afribrand Limited Mauritius 1983 22 Curepipe Food & Allied Group Morocco 2001 39 Casablanca Americana Group Mozambique 2007 12 Maputo Grupo Ibersol Namibia 1992 22 Baobab Energy Namibia Nigeria 2009 24 Lagos Devyani International Nigeria Limited Réunion 2021 5 Le Port Ricardo Lartin Rwanda 2020–2025; 2026–present 1 Kigali Kuku Foods East Africa Opened on February 7, 2020, but closed and demolished its outlet in December 2025. returned on March 31, 2026. Senegal 2019 3 Dakar Sedima Group South Africa 1971 1,200 Johannesburg KFC Africa Divested its holdings from 1987 until 1994 to holding company Devco, after U.S. Congress passed a law forbidding U.S. companies from owning South African assets, due to apartheid.The Associated Press June 20, 1994, Monday, BC cycle Kentucky Fried Chicken Returns to South Africa At present, 90% of SA locations are franchised, and 10% are company-owned. KFCSA is South Africa's largest fast food chain by number of outlets, and as of 2023, South Africa is KFC's fifth-largest country by number of locations. Sudan2019-2023; 2025–present8KhartoumAraak GroupAll outlets were shut down in 2023 due to the ongoing Sudanese Civil War. Returned in July 2025. Tanzania 2013 9 Dar es Salaam Kuku Foods East Africa Tunisia 2018 11 Tunis HBG group Uganda 2013 23 Kampala Kuku Foods East Africa Zambia 2011 7 Zimbabwe 1991–2008, 2014–present 10 Country Bird Holdings KFC left the country in 2008 after the franchise holder failed to meet Yum!'s standards. Reopened in July 2014.

Gallery

Asia Country/region Yearentered Owner/major operator Notes Azerbaijan 2011GFC Ltd31 outlets. In October 2012, the world's largest KFC opened in Baku. The 1,600-square-meter outlet, with a seating capacity of 300, is housed in the city's Sabunçu rail station built in 1926. AFK Ltd reportedly invested 3 million euros to restore the nearly destroyed building. Bahrain 1973 Americana Group24 outlets. Bangladesh 2006 Transcom Group 47 outlets as of 2025. First outlet opened at Gulshan in 2006. Brunei 1980 QSR Brands (M) Holdings Sdn Bhd17 outlets, first outlet was opened in Bandar Seri Begawan. Also the first possible foreign fast food chain in Brunei, hence the possible opening year being 1980. China 1987 Yum China 12,600 outlets in over 2,500 cities as of September 2025. KFC's largest market. The first Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet opened on Qianmen Street in downtown Beijing on November 12, 1987. Cambodia 2008 The Royal Group and QSR Brands (M) Holdings Sdn Bhd 13 outlets as of 2024. Established in March 2008. KFC is one of Royal Group of Companies Ltd (The Royal Group) business, a partnership with the Malaysian QSR brands and Rightlink Corporation. The Royal Group is one of the largest conglomerates in Cambodia with substantial investments in media, telecommunications, banking, education, property development and trading. Hong Kong 1973–1975, 1985–present Birdland Ltd 75 outlets. KFC was the first American fast food chain to enter Hong Kong in 1973, with an outlet in Mei Foo Sun Chuen. There were 11 outlets by mid-1974, but by September 1974 many outlets had closed. The remaining 4 outlets were closed in February 1975. KFC misjudged the local market and failed to develop a suitable business model, with its takeout only stores failing to catch on.| Bangladesh || Chickens imported from China were fed fishmeal, which ruined the taste. The chain was reintroduced by Swire Group in September 1985, with an outlet opened on Jordan Road, at a cost of $3 million. A second outlet was opened on Causeway Bay in 1986. By 1995 there were 17 outlets. Sold to Birdland in 1997. India 1995 Sapphire Foods LtdDevyani International Ltd 1,000 outlets. KFC's first outlet in India was a two-storey outlet on Brigade Road in Bangalore opened in June 1995. Indonesia 1979 PT Fastfood Indonesia 690 outlets. First outlet in Jalan Melawai, Jakarta. Listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange. It is currently owned by PT Indoritel Makmur Internasional, which also owns Indomaret. See KFC Indonesia Iraq 2023 Americana Group20 outlets. Americana Group opened the first restaurant in Baghdad at Family Mall; seven outlets can be found in Erbil, one outlet can be found in Sulaymaniyah, one outlet in Duhok and ten outlets in Baghdad Israel1993–2014, 2020–presentMefco Smart Service 19 outlets. First restaurant opened in Nazareth. Japan 1970The Japan Economic Journal July 21, 1990 ON A WING AND A PRAYER; After a rocky start, Kentucky Fried is devouring Japan 7 KFC Holdings Japan, Ltd (Carlyle Group) 1,131 outlets. First outlet opened in Nagoya. Jordan 1984 Americana Group 27 outlets. Kazakhstan 2007 Americana Group 70 outlets as of 2022. The first restaurant was opened in Almaty in 2007. Kuwait 1973 Americana Group 66 outlets. Americana Group opened the first KFC outlet in Kuwait in 1973 marking the brand's debut in the Middle East. In the years that followed, Americana Group expanded the brand's presence across the Middle East and North Africa region. Kyrgyzstan 2017 ? 20 outlets as of 2024; 17 are in Bishkek, while three are in Osh. Lebanon 1973 Shaban Brothers Ltd 23 outlets. KFC master franchisees from 1973 to 1993. Macau 1989 ? 5 outlets, first outlet in Rosa Buena Street, Coloane. Malaysia 1973–1992, 2004–present QSR Brands (M) Holdings Sdn Bhd 770 outlets. Kentucky Nuggets was conceived in Malaysia and then found its way to KFC worldwide. Today, Kentucky Nuggets is one of KFC's successes. KFC led the chained fast food market in 2011, with 45 percent of value sales. Present from 1973, but closed down in 1992. Returned in 2004. The first KFC outlet was opened in 1973 on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Maldives2018Sapphire FoodsFormerly 3 outlets, now only one in Velana International Airport. Mongolia 2013 Tavan Bogd Group 12 outlets. The first Western fast food chain to open in the country. Opened its first outlet in Ulaanbaatar on May 29, 2013. Myanmar 2015 Yoma Strategic Holdings 36 outlets as of 2024. First outlet open in Yangon on June 30, 2015. Nepal 2009 Devyani International 32 outlets: 15 in Kathmandu, at DurbarMargh, Boudha, Thimi, Maharajgunj, Labim Mall, BlueBird mall, Kalanki, Tripureshwar; one in Itahari, one in Bharatpur, one in Hetauda, and one in Lakeside Pokhara. Oman 1986 Americana Group 36 outlets. Pakistan 1997 Delicious Holdings 152 outlets as of March 2026. First opened in Gulshan-e-Iqbal in Karachi in 1997. Palestine2011ACRFF15 outlets. First branch opened September 10, 2011, at Plaza Mall in Ramallah. 9 outlets including 3 in Ramallah. Philippines 1967 RAMCAR Group 332 outlets. In June 1994, Manuel U. Agustines obtained the sole franchise over the sale and distribution of KFC products in the Philippines, under the corporate name of Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) Corporation. Qatar 1976 Americana Group 39 outlets. Saudi Arabia 1975 Americana Group 220 outlets. Singapore 1977 QSR Brands (M) Holdings Sdn Bhd 84 outlets. First outlet opened on Somerset Road in 1977. 40 stores by 1992, when it was acquired by KFC International. In 2002, KFC Singapore was acquired by KFC (Malaysia) Holdings Bhd. 86 outlets in 2012. All Singaporean KFC locations are certified halal. South Korea 1984 Orchestra Private Equity 190 outlets. KFC Korea had a good startoff in the beginning, but experienced a decline in the mid-2000s. Opening its first store in 1984 in Jongno of the capital Seoul, the outlet number has increased with its 100th store at Mokdong of Seoul (1996), and its 200th store near Seoul University (2000). However, KFC's outlet closed due to failing sales, and dipped to around 120 stores by 2009. As of June 2014, KFC reopened some of its stores and operates 170 outlets in South Korea. Sri Lanka 1995 Cargills 62 outlets. First outlet opened at Majestic City, Colombo, on 16 October 1995. Taiwan 1985 Jardines 153 outlets. Taiwan's first KFC outlet was opened in the Ximending district of Taipei. It was initially a joint venture between KFC and Uni-President Enterprises Corporation, Taiwan's largest food company, until President sold its stake in 1997. Jardine's acquired full control of the poorly performing KFC Taiwan from Yum! in 2010. Tajikistan2021 ?9 outlets as of 2024. First outlet opened in Dushanbe on December 16, 2021. Thailand 1984 Yum Restaurants International (Thailand) and Central Restaurants Group 717 outlets. Originally opened in 1970 but closed down after the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.Journal of Commerce November 21, 1989, Tuesday Fast Food Ready to Go – Across Asia 48 KFC reopened in Thailand at Central Ladprao in Bangkok. United Arab Emirates 1975Michael Binyon. "Arms and absurdities in the desert on £4m a day". The Times [London, England] January 9, 1975: 14. Americana Group 151 outlets. Uzbekistan 2018 International Food Chain 27 outlets overall, including 22 outlets in Tashkent, 1 in Kokand, 2 in Andijan, 2 in Samarkand, and 1 in Fergana. First outlet opened in Tashkent. Vietnam 1997 KFC Vietnam 136 outlets. First outlet opened in Ho Chi Minh City. Jardines acquired a 25% stake in the company in 2011. Euromonitor estimated that KFC has 15% of the fast food market by value in 2011, making it the leading company. Yemen ? Unknown One outlet in Sanaa.

Gallery

Caribbean, Central and South America