Kwench set to expand to 3,000 locations as KFC continues its global growth momentum

Earlier this year, KFC revealed plans to expand its “Kwench by KFC” drinks concept across the U.K. and Ireland following a successful 38 location trial. The move marked the brand’s first major attempt to scale the beverage focused idea internationally.

That rollout is just one part of a much broader strategy. During its fourth quarter earnings update, Yum! Brands confirmed that Kwench is expected to reach around 3,000 locations this year. The concept introduces a range of specialty drinks, currently 11 options, grouped into categories such as boba style refreshers, indulgent shakes, sparkling lemonades, and iced coffee beverages.

Although Yum! did not provide detailed regional targets, the U.K. and Ireland expansion offers some insight into how the rollout is being executed. Franchise partners and corporate teams there are planning to invest roughly £38 million, about $45 million, to bring Kwench into restaurants. Some locations will feature dedicated counters and branding, while others are adding new fixtures and seating. In certain cities, including Liverpool and Rome, the concept appears almost like a mini brand within the restaurant, with its own distinct service area.

Customer response has been strong. KFC reported that sales from Kwench more than doubled during the trial period, and over 90 percent of customers said they enjoyed the drinks. Around half indicated they would visit KFC specifically for the beverage offering, which includes items like iced tiramisu lattes and sparkling fruit lemonades.

KFC’s push into beverages reflects a wider trend in the quick service industry. Competitors are also investing in drink focused concepts to increase foot traffic, expand sales throughout the day, and appeal to younger audiences. Taco Bell, McDonald’s, and Chick fil A have all introduced or tested similar initiatives centered on specialty beverages.

Continued global expansion

More broadly, KFC’s performance in 2025 followed a familiar pattern, steady international growth paired with ongoing efforts to strengthen its U.S. business. Systemwide sales rose by 6 percent, while same store sales increased 3 percent in the fourth quarter compared to flat growth the previous year. International locations drove most of that momentum, while U.S. results were more modest.

For the full year, international same store sales grew 3 percent, while the U.S. saw a slight decline of 1 percent.

Expansion remained a major focus. KFC opened 1,132 new restaurants in the fourth quarter alone and nearly 3,000 across more than 100 countries over the year. The brand is now opening a new location roughly every three and a half hours, and nearly one third of its total global footprint has been added within the past five years.

At the end of the year, KFC operated close to 34,000 restaurants worldwide. While the U.S. saw a net decline in locations, international markets experienced significant growth, adding over 2,000 net new units.

The U.K., one of KFC’s largest company owned markets, delivered particularly strong results, with double digit same store sales growth in the fourth quarter.

Technology and operational improvements

KFC is also investing in technology to support its expansion. Yum!’s SmartOps system, which includes point of sale tools, kitchen management, and digital ordering capabilities, has been rolled out to thousands of locations. These tools have helped reduce ordering errors, improve customer satisfaction, and minimise stock shortages.

Digital ordering continues to expand as well, with new markets set to adopt online and app based systems in the coming years.

Future strategy and innovation

Looking ahead, KFC plans to accelerate innovation under CEO Scott Mezvinsky. The company aims to refresh its menu, marketing approach, and overall brand positioning, drawing on insights from Yum!’s internal research group, Collider. This team analyses consumer behaviour and cultural trends to guide product development and campaigns.

Recent insights highlight a growing demand for customization, small indulgent choices, and emotionally engaging experiences. KFC intends to respond by increasing the frequency of new product launches, strengthening value offerings, and expanding categories like beverages, sauces, and chicken tenders.

Another emerging concept, “Saucy by KFC,” is also gaining traction. Focused on tenders and dipping sauces, the format has performed strongly in early locations, attracting a younger customer base and generating higher than average sales. Plans are in place to expand this concept further in the near future.

At the same time, KFC is refining its core menu, adjusting portion sizes, improving product quality, and speeding up the development cycle for new items through a centralized innovation hub.

Growth opportunities worldwide

Despite its rapid expansion, Yum! believes there is still significant room for growth in many markets. Some countries, such as India and Brazil, have relatively low restaurant density compared to more developed regions. As profitability improves and franchise partners expand, the company expects to unlock further opportunities globally.

Overall, KFC’s strategy combines aggressive unit growth, menu innovation, digital investment, and new concept development, all aimed at strengthening its global presence and driving long term performance.