KFC Statistics (23 Interesting Facts, Trends + Statistics)
KFC is one of the most well-known fast food chains, but how much do you know about KFC? Are you looking for some interesting KFC stats?
If so, keep reading below for some facts and trends about KFC, and to learn a little bit about this beloved and iconic fast food chain!
KFC 2022 Statistics
- Harland Sanders founded KFC in 1930
- In 1936, the governor of Kentucky awarded the title of Colonel Harland Sanders
- Pete Harman opened the first KFC restaurant in Salt Lake City in 1952
- First bucket meal sold in 1957
- KFC in 146 countries
- Over 26,000 KFC restaurants worldwide
- The KFC recipe remains a secret
- KFC fried chicken was only known as KFC in the 1990s
- Buckethead is a guitarist with a KFC bucket on his head
Are you looking for a complete list of KFC stats and have other questions for me to answer? Well, keep reading to find the full list and more below!
1. Harland Sanders founded KFC in 1930
Harland Sanders started KFC in 1930 by selling fried chicken at a gas station near North Corbin, Kentucky.
However, he realized chicken was his specialty, not gas, so he turned the gas station into a restaurant and motel and decided to name it “Sanders’ Court & Cafe”.
2. In 1936, Harland Sanders was made an honorary colonel
Harland Sanders became Colonel Sanders in 1936 when the governor of Kentucky awarded him the honorary title.
3. Pete Harman opened the first KFC restaurant in 1952
It wasn’t until 1952 that the first official KFC restaurant opened in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was a franchise.
Also, the KFC restaurant is run by a restaurateur named Peter Harman, whom Sanders met at a food seminar.
4. The first bucket of rice was sold in 1957
Did you know that barrel meals didn’t start until 1957, when Pete Harman came up with the idea by selling 14 chicken wraps and gravy meals?
5. KFC operates in 146 counties
KFC has grown rapidly since its founding in 1930, and today you can find it in over 146 countries!
6. There are over 26,000 KFC outlets worldwide
Not only does KFC have KFC in more than 146 countries, but there are more than 26,000 KFC outlets around the world, an impressive feat that continues to grow.
7. KFC’s secret recipe remains a secret
A fun fact about KFC is that the 11 spices and herbs used for the chicken were a secret from the start, and only a few people inside the company knew the recipe.
Also, this recipe is locked at KFC headquarters and should never be leaked.
8. KFC decided to go to KFC in the 1990s
KFC decided to drop the name and switched to KFC in the 1990s, when more and more people became concerned about the health of fried chicken.
9. A guitarist named Buckethead wore a KFC bucket
An interesting relationship with KFC is that an American guitarist named Buckethead became famous over the years for his work with Guns N’ Roses.
Additionally, Buckethead’s barrel is orange with “Funeral” written on the side of the barrel.
10. Japanese eat KFC at Christmas
KFC is a world famous restaurant and a cool fact is that the Japanese eat KFC at Christmas and the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Also, the tradition started in 1974 when KFC started a marketing campaign that translated into English as “Kentucky for Christmas” called “Kurisumasu ni wa kentakki”.
11. KFC sells a pair of KFC alligators
KFC sold a pair of KFC alligators, why not? There are two pairs to choose from, one of which is a KFC barrel design on the sole and two drumsticks on top.
Also, the drumsticks are detachable and have a chicken scent, which is a fun project if you’re a KFC fan!
12. KFC has about 14,000 employees
There are about 14,000 KFC employees worldwide, a number that has been rising over the years as more restaurants open in different locations.
In addition, it is expected that the number of employees will continue to climb in the coming years.
13. About 56% of KFC employees are women
Did you know that the majority of KFC employees are women, with an average of 56% to 44% more than men?
However, the gender makeup of a store can change rapidly and can also depend on other factors, such as location.
14. Over 99% of KFC restaurants are franchised
Given that the first official KFC restaurant is a franchise, the franchising model will be the way the business develops, with over 99% of KFC stores being franchised.
15. KFC Gravy Not Approved by Colonel Sanders
An interesting fact about KFC is that Colonel Sanders disapproves of the gravy used today.
On top of that, KFC gravy was changed to a cheaper version before 1970, with less work than the original.
16. KFC’s 2021 revenue tops $31 billion
KFC is one of the largest and most famous fast food chains in the world, so it’s no surprise that 2021 revenue topped $31 billion!
Additionally, this beats 2020’s $26 billion in revenue and KFC’s 2019 revenue of $27 billion.
17. KFC was the first in China in 1987
Launched in China in 1987, KFC was the first western restaurant to come to China. Today, it’s hugely popular with over 4,500 locations nationwide!
In addition, KFC restaurants in China offer more dishes than the standard American menu, including local delicacies such as tree mushroom salad.
That said, you can still get your regular KFC favorites, with an average of nearly 50 items on each menu in China.
18. There’s a Colonel Sanders video game
Did you know that Colonel Sanders is so beloved that a video game called Colonel Discovery was made just for him?
Specifically, this video game is all about the life of Colonel Sanders, and the main goal of the game is to collect chicken legs.
19. KFC employees stay with the company for an average of 2.6 years
One statistic I found interesting about KFC employees is that most have been with the company for an average of 2.6 years, which is quite a long time for a fast food restaurant.
20. KFC’s parent company is Yum!brand
Um! Brands, the parent company of KFC, owns many other fast food brands, including Taco Bell and Pizza Hut.
21. The KFC brand is worth $8.3 billion
With a brand value of $8.3 billion, KFC is so massive that it makes the Forbes list every year as one of the top companies in the world.
22. 52% of employees have a high school diploma
52% of KFC employees have a high school diploma, making it the most common level of education completed by employees working in restaurants.
23. 40% of KFC employees are between the ages of 18 and 20
An interesting statistic about KFC employees is that 40% of all employees working for the company are between the ages of 18 and 20, while only 3% are over the age of 40!
How many customers does KFC serve every day?
KFC serves approximately 12 million people every day, an incredible number and a testament to KFC’s global popularity!
How Much Does a KFC Franchise Make?
Profits from a KFC franchise can range from $942,000 to over $1,000,000 per year, depending on the location and popularity of that particular store.
Also, profitability depends on how the manager runs the location.
However, no one knows how much franchise owners have made since Yum! Brands will not disclose this information publicly.
How much does it cost to open a KFC?
Opening a KFC branch is not cheap, the franchise fee is around $45,000, plus you have to factor in start-up fees and costs, it can be anywhere from $1.20 to $2.5 million!
In addition, a 5% royalty must be charged each month based on the store’s monthly revenue.
What is the busiest KFC in the world?
The busiest KFC location in the world is the Beijing Railway Station KFC in Beijing, China.
Which countries don’t have KFC?
While you might think KFC is everywhere, it’s not, and some countries don’t even have KFC outlets, including:
- Fiji
- Norway
- Israel
- Yemen
- Zimbabwe
- Syria
- Haiti
- Andorra
- Guyana
- Iran
Why does KFC taste different in different countries?
If you’ve traveled abroad, you’ve probably noticed that KFC food tastes different because KFC allows each franchisee to incorporate local flavors.
KFC, for example, allows franchisees to add local food to their menus and hopes the food is local enough for people to come into the restaurant and order.
To find out more, you can also read our posts on UK KFC complaints, KFC recruitment process and KFC business model.
in conclusion
There are several interesting facts about KFC, including that KFC started in Kentucky in 1930 with Harland Sanders.
Additionally, the first KFC restaurant opened in Salt Lake City in 1956, with Pete Harman operating the franchise, and now more than 99% of KFC stores are franchised.
Today, with more than 26,000 locations in more than 146 counties, KFC is one of the most recognized brands in the world, with revenue of over $31 billion in 2021!
