Business

South Africa’s biggest fast-food brand rolling out new stores

Kirsten Minnaar • 31 October 2025

The biggest fast-food business in South Africa, KFC, is showing no signs of slowing down, as it continues to roll out new stores across the country.

“At 1,500 restaurants across the African continent, KFC is one of the fastest-growing quick-service restaurants (QSR) in Africa, South Africa and the world,” KFC told Daily Investor.

The company currently has over 30,000 restaurants in more than 150 countries, employing around 80,000 people worldwide. “Over 40,000 of those are in Africa. Somewhere across the globe, a new KFC restaurant opens every 3.5 hours,” the company said.

In South Africa, KFC has 1,200 stores, making it the biggest fast-food business in the country. Even so, KFC said it is constantly looking to grow its restaurant portfolio, both nationally and across Africa.

In 2025, KFC opened new South African locations, including in the Lion Pride Shopping Centre in Johannesburg, Kaalfontein Corner Shopping Centre in Midrand, and South Beach in Durban.

“Growth in the QSR sector is being driven by urbanisation, the popularity of digital ordering and delivery platforms, and changing consumer lifestyles that fuel demand for convenient, affordable and quickly prepared meals,” the fast-food giant said.

“Even with the proliferation of restaurants, demand continues to outstrip supply, which is why at KFC, we are continually on the lookout for well-located sites or buildings that can be developed into new stores or drive-throughs.”

South Africa’s QSR market is highly competitive, consisting of strong local players – such as Steers, Wimpy and Chicken Licken – and international giants – like McDonald’s and Burger King.

New players are also constantly entering the country’s QSR market, which was valued at R354.3 billion in 2023. Despite the competition, KFC has maintained its position as the biggest player in South Africa.

“KFC’s leadership stems from over 54 years of continuous presence in Africa, built on unwavering quality delivered to customers, something that is non-negotiable,” KFC said.

“Our success is measured not only by the number of restaurants and our dominant market share but by our ability to innovate and adapt through digital ordering, menu evolution, and sustainability-focused operations.”

Today, more than 60% of local orders come through online and drive-through channels, which KFC said underscores its strong digital transformation in South Africa’s fast-evolving QSR market.

How KFC opens new stores

When looking for sites to open new stores, KFC said it prioritises high-traffic retail nodes, shopping centres, transit hubs, and fuel stations.

The company said it typically requires sites of around 1,500 m² for drive-throughs and 120 to 150 m² for inline stores.

“Our focus for expansion remains on areas where we do not yet have a strong footprint, tapping into new commercial developments and undeveloped spaces,” it said.

To find new locations, KFC has also implemented several initiatives, such as Project Real Estate, which gives community insights to help them uncover new opportunities for sustainable growth.

In July 2025, KFC announced the relaunch of its site recommendations campaign, an initiative which will run until the end of the year.

South Africans who submit a location that leads to a successful restaurant or drive-through opening will be awarded a finder’s fee of R60,000.

“Since relaunching the finder’s fee campaign, we’ve received an overwhelmingly positive response, with a surge of submissions nationwide,” KFC said.

“The initiative empowers communities to participate directly in economic growth and has led to viable site suggestions in provinces such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the Eastern Cape, strengthening KFC’s presence across South Africa.”

The challenge of opening a new store goes beyond simply finding a good location. KFC must also comply with environmental and aesthetic requirements when building the store.

“KFC aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050,” they said. As part of this effort, each new restaurant is designed according to KFC’s global “Building Green” standards.

This includes 11 must-haves for sustainable design, such as efficient HVAC systems, low-energy lighting, and reduced water use.

“Around 65% of our restaurants are drive-throughs, and all are built to reflect KFC’s ever-evolving brand design, from the late 1990s candy stripes to today’s modern red bucket aesthetic,” the company said.

Managing rapid growth

KFC Africa general manager Akhona Qengqe

KFC’s widespread and rapid expansion also poses the challenge of quality control, since the business needs to balance its service and product offering with its growing footprint.

“Boosting an already robust portfolio of over 1,200 restaurants in South Africa requires airtight partnerships with trusted suppliers, franchisees, and technology partners,” KFC said.

“KFC ensures consistent quality through comprehensive training programmes such as Streetwise Academy and Women on the Move, which equip team members for leadership and operational excellence.”

The company explained that it continues to invest in digital systems, franchisee support, and continuous performance feedback to uphold its global brand standards.

Although growing its footprint remains a priority for KFC, it also highlighted the importance of giving back to communities in South Africa.

Each new KFC creates an average of 35 direct jobs and boosts local infrastructure and economies. Through its Add Hope campaign, the brand also provides over 30 million meals annually to children across South Africa.

“Every time we build a new KFC, we reinvigorate infrastructure, uplift communities, boost local economies, and create much-needed jobs,” said KFC Africa general manager Akhona Qengqe.

“From enhancing roads and utilities to introducing technology upgrades like WiFi and modern POS systems, our footprint leaves a lasting impact.”