KFC Launches Open House Concept

KFC has opened a restaurant, called Open House, that the brand says will serve guests and help it learn what works and identify ideas to bring to its 3,500-plus U.S. restaurants.

Located in McKinney, Texas, the restaurant features an expanded menu and dayparts, including breakfast and late-night options. It offers table service, dual drive-thru lanes, a dedicated mobile pickup lane, self-order kiosks and digital menu boards. It measures 3,400 square feet, seats 52 and operates from 6 a.m.-12 a.m.

“Open House brings the Kentucky Fried Comeback to life in one restaurant,” says Catherine Tan-Gillespie, president, KFC U.S., in the release. “We’re building on the craveable fried chicken and genuine hospitality people have always loved about KFC, while introducing new flavors, new experiences and more ways to enjoy the brand. It gives guests a reason to try us, or try us again, while giving us a real restaurant where we can learn what works for guests, our teams and the business, and scale the strongest ideas across the system.”

Open House features a mid-century modern design as a nod to the era during which the KFC brand was born. It has warm timber accents, oversized windows, and flexible indoor, outdoor and breezeway seating.

As for the menu, guests will find KFC’s typical fried chicken offerings, plus more sauce options, elevated beverages (lemonade and boba refreshers), breakfast (breakfast sandwiches, tenders, hashbrown sticks and mini cronuts), newer sides (fried green beans and spicy pickles) and desserts.

Part of Yum Brands, KFC has more than 30,000 restaurants in 150 countries and territories. Earlier this month, it added Amy Ellis Durini as global chief brand officer.