KFC in brief
- Rank: #93 of 100 in America's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #12 of 13 in Hospitality & Travel.
- WCRC Power Score: 68.68 out of 100.
- Founded: 1930, by Colonel Harland Sanders; first franchise opened by Pete Harman in 1952.
- Owner: Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Kentucky (US headquarters relocating to Plano, Texas, announced 2025).
- Leadership: Chris Turner, CEO of Yum! Brands.
- Latest revenue: $8.2bn revenue (FY2025, +8.8%), group revenue of Yum! Brands, Inc., as per company filings.
What makes KFC powerful
KFC is one of the best-known restaurant brands in the world. Colonel Sanders' face and the red bucket travel across cultures, and the brand has become a local favorite in markets from China to Africa. That global familiarity helps KFC open restaurants at a fast pace.
The scale is striking. KFC ended the third quarter of 2026 with 35,421 restaurants, up 7% in a year. In 2025 alone it opened 2,986 new restaurants in 105 countries, which Yum! Brands called a record-breaking year of unit development. It kept that pace in 2026, opening 878 restaurants in 66 countries in the third quarter. Growth abroad drives the brand. In that quarter its system sales rose 12% in Asia, excluding currency effects. In 2025 the US made up only 12% of KFC's system sales.
In 2025 KFC opened 2,986 new restaurants in 105 countries, a record year of growth for the brand.
Why KFC ranks #93
KFC sits at #93 with a WCRC Power Score of 68.68, just behind Warner Bros. and its sister brand Taco Bell and just ahead of Pfizer and Verizon. It scores very well on positioning and recall around the world. Weak sales in its home market hold it back against Taco Bell, which has grown faster in the US. Its global reach and record pace of new openings keep it narrowly ahead of Pfizer and Verizon.
The Achilles' heel
KFC's Achilles' heel is its home market. While the brand thrives abroad, it is losing ground in the US. KFC's US system sales fell 5% in 2025, and in the third quarter of 2026 they fell another 6%. Its US same-store sales fell 1% in 2025, even as sister brand Taco Bell's rose 7%. KFC has yet to show a lasting fix in the country where it was born, and worries about fried food add to the challenge.
The 2026 story
KFC's 2026 story is global expansion paired with a reset at home. Yum! Brands is relocating the KFC US corporate office to KFC's global headquarters in Plano, Texas. On Nov. 3, 2026, Yum! said KFC delivered record third-quarter global unit development, with 878 new restaurants. Its system sales rose 6% excluding currency effects, while US system sales fell 6%. Chief executive Chris Turner said KFC continues to scale a new global strategy reflecting its ambition to be the most modern chicken quick-service brand. It is also testing a new chicken concept, Saucy, in 15 stores.
Pillar profile
Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.
Versus its nearest rivals
Questions people ask
What rank is KFC in WCRC's America's Most Powerful Brands 2026?
KFC ranks #93 of 100 in WCRC's America's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 68.68 out of 100.
What makes KFC powerful?
KFC is one of the most recognised restaurant brands in the world, especially in China and emerging markets.
What is KFC's revenue?
$8.2bn revenue (FY2025, +8.8%), group revenue of Yum! Brands, Inc., as per company filings.
Who founded and owns KFC?
KFC was founded in 1930 by Colonel Harland Sanders; first franchise opened by Pete Harman in 1952. It is owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. and based in Louisville, Kentucky (US headquarters relocating to Plano, Texas, announced 2025).
Who leads KFC?
Chris Turner, CEO of Yum! Brands.
What is KFC's biggest challenge?
Weaker sales in the US and health concerns about fried food.
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Key facts
| Brand | KFC |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | Yum! Brands, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Louisville, Kentucky (US headquarters relocating to Plano, Texas, announced 2025), United States |
| Founded | 1930 |
| Founder(s) | Colonel Harland Sanders; first franchise opened by Pete Harman in 1952 |
| Leadership | Chris Turner, CEO of Yum! Brands |
| Latest revenue | $8.2bn revenue (FY2025, +8.8%), group revenue of Yum! Brands, Inc., as per company filings |
| Sector | Hospitality & Travel |
| Website | kfc.com |
| Country of origin | United States |
Sources
- Annual report (Form 10-K) and financial results of Yum! Brands, Inc. filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission
- Company website, official announcements and press releases
- Published interviews and statements by the leadership
- WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
