KFC launches experimental Texas outlet to revamp menu and dining experience
KFC opened a test restaurant in McKinney, Texas, featuring breakfast, new drinks and a sit-down service model to experiment with ways to regain market share in the U.S.
KFC unveiled an experimental “Open House” restaurant in McKinney, Texas, designed as a laboratory for new concepts aimed at recapturing its dominance in the American fried-chicken market. The venue, the first KFC in the United States to offer breakfast and extended hours, serves innovative beverages like boba-infused refreshers, crunchy-topped milkshakes, and an expanded range of tenders, sauces, and sides such as fried green beans and spicy pickles.
Features include double drive-thru lanes, a mobile-order pickup station, digital kiosks, tabletop service, a photo booth and a branded-merchandise counter. Chief Concept Officer Christophe Poirier says the goal is to make the fast-food visit feel like a premium experience, automating ordering so staff can focus on hospitality. While KFC has not disclosed which elements will be adopted chain-wide, the new drinks are expected to spread, mirroring recent launches in the UK, Canada and other markets. The move follows a decline in U.S. sales share from 20% in 2015 to 8% in 2025, as rivals such as Raising Cane’s, Chick-fil-A and Popeyes expand aggressively.
