Emerging Brands

KFC's new spinoff brands take root in Asia

K Pro Asia

KFC China in July launched a fast-casual spinoff focused on fresh and healthy dining. K Pro, in Hangzhou, has a menu positioned around salads and panini, with proteins that expand beyond chicken to include seafood. Drinks include fresh juices and beer. Plans to expand have not been disclosed. In a market where KFC is facing increasing competition among both global and local QSRs, a fast-casual concept backed by significant brand equity could provide a springboard for expansion.

In Japan, KFC has launched a concept called The Table by KFC. The deli-style restaurant focuses on homestyle fried chicken, salads and sides, all made in-house. Designed for takeaway, guests order via a production line with displays of available options, like whole fried chickens, fried thighs and pumpkin-walnut salad. KFC says the concept was developed for high-traffic locations like rail stations and shopping areas where busy consumers may be looking for a fast meal option for themselves or their families. 
 

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Financing

Despite their complaints, customers keep flocking to Chipotle

The Bottom Line: The chain continued to be a juggernaut last quarter, with strong sales and traffic growth, despite frequent social media complaints about shrinkflation or other challenges.

Operations

Hitting resistance elsewhere, ghost kitchens and virtual concepts find a happy home in family dining

Reality Check: Old-guard chains are finding the alternative operations to be persistently effective side hustles.

Financing

The Tijuana Flats bankruptcy highlights the dangers of menu miscues

The Bottom Line: The fast-casual chain’s problems following new menu debuts in 2021 and 2022 show that adding new items isn’t always the right idea.

Trending

More from our partners