Full Breakdown
KFC Unveils “Open House” Prototype as Part of Brand Overhaul
6/28/2026, 1:07:00 AM
Open House Prototype to Test New KFC Restaurant Model
KFC will pilot a restaurant concept called “Open House” near Yum! Brands’ Plano, Texas HQ. The prototype, slated for late-summer opening, will include table service, drive-thru and takeout, shifting emphasis from efficiency to a hospitality-oriented space that adapts to occasions.
Brand Refresh and Menu Highlights
The prototype is part of a brand overhaul that refreshes the bucket, modernizes identity, and expands the menu. KFC added boneless chicken items and more than 20 sauces, including Chimichurri Ranch and Hot Honey Habanero. KWENCH by KFC offers Boba Refreshers, Krunch Shakes, Sparkling Lemonades and Iced Coffees, but is not yet in the U.S. The “Saucy! by KFC” concept, focused on chicken tenders and sauces, operates in 10 Florida locations.
Timeline of Recent Initiatives
2024 saw the first “Saucy! by KFC” open in Orlando, followed by ten more Florida sites. The “Open House” prototype is slated for a late-summer launch in McKinney, Texas, with additional Texas locations planned.
Why It Matters
The prototype signals KFC’s aim to align its spaces with expectations for flexibility and experience, blending fast-food speed with a welcoming atmosphere. The brand seeks to stay “more relevant, more expressive and more in tune with modern culture” while preserving the “Finger Lickin’ Good” ethos.
Official Statements
KFC’s release said the new spaces are designed for hospitality rather than efficiency and highlighted the evolution of its most distinctive assets to stay relevant. The company noted that the refreshed bucket and a subtle update to the Colonel’s image keep the brand’s legacy front and center.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The brand is set to open a new generation of spaces designed for hospitality, not just efficiency – with environments that feel more dynamic and adapt throughout the day to meet different occasions,” — KFC, news release
- “We’re taking the idea that we can do all the things with our system, but how do we jolt the system and jump forward a decade?” — Catherine Tan-Gillespie, KFC President
- “What would the reinvention of KFC look like if the (founder) Colonel (Sanders) was here today? How do we take all of his legacy, his DNA, to a next generation concept?” — Catherine Tan-Gillespie, KFC President
- “The brand is evolving its most distinctive assets to feel more relevant, more expressive and more in tune with modern culture, while staying true to itself and grounded in the Colonel and its iconic ‘Finger Lickin’ Good’ ethos,” — KFC, corporate statement
Next Steps
KFC will monitor response to the McKinney prototype and evaluate additional Texas sites later in 2024. Findings will guide the pace of a national rollout and menu or design adjustments.
