KFC is preparing to expand: where it plans to open new locations

8 July 16:37

The KFC fast-food chain continues to expand its presence in Ukraine and plans to open locations in several new cities this year.

The company cites Ternopil, Chernihiv, and Kropyvnytskyi as priority areas for expansion. Alina Kiptik, CEO of Tasty Food—KFC’s franchisee in Ukraine—spoke about this in an interview with Forbes, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".

According to Kiptik, the approximate cost of opening a single KFC restaurant in Ukraine is about $1 million.

“Although it all depends on the format, square footage, and technical condition of the location. One of the key factors that helps us keep project costs under control and continue our expansion is our collaboration with Ukrainian manufacturers. They have helped make the network’s expansion economically feasible under current conditions,” Kiptik explains.

According to her, despite the challenging economic conditions and risks posed by the war, the company is not abandoning its development plans and continues to invest in the Ukrainian market. At the same time, Kyiv, the Kyiv region, and Dnipro remain key regions for the chain, where the company sees significant potential for further growth.

“This year, we’ve already opened a restaurant in Kam’yanske, and it was a truly notable event for the city. This, by the way, is a very telling example: in smaller cities, people often look forward to new openings especially eagerly, since there are far fewer modern leisure options and places to spend time with family or friends,” Kiptik noted.

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Not Just Major Cities

The company emphasizes that its current network development strategy goes beyond operating in large regional centers and major cities. Increasing attention is being paid to medium-sized cities, where demand for modern restaurant concepts remains unmet, and the arrival of an international brand can serve as an additional stimulus for the development of retail and entertainment infrastructure.

According to the head of Tasty Food, the opening of international chain restaurants often has a positive effect not only on the business itself but also on local communities. New establishments create jobs, attract additional foot traffic to shopping centers, and help form new hubs of activity for city residents.

“In smaller cities, people often look forward to these openings especially eagerly, since there are far fewer modern leisure options and places to spend time with family or friends. That’s why we’re looking not only at large metropolitan areas but also at cities where the arrival of an international brand can become an important part of the development of local infrastructure and urban life,” says Kiptik.

The company is paying special attention to Chernihiv, where preparations are already underway for the opening of the first KFC restaurant. It was previously reported that the chain signed an agreement to open a location in HOLLYWOOD, the region’s largest shopping and entertainment center. For the city, this will mark the brand’s debut and one of the biggest openings in the foodservice sector in recent years.

As of today, the KFC chain ranks among the largest international players in the Ukrainian restaurant market. The company continues to modernize existing locations, open new restaurants, and expand its geographic reach, focusing on both major cities and promising regional centers.

New openings in Ternopil, Chernihiv, and Kropyvnytskyi could mark the next phase of this strategy and confirm the growing interest of international brands in expanding their business in Ukraine.

KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) is an American fast-food chain known for its fried chicken made with a secret recipe of “11 herbs and spices.” The chain was founded by Harland Sanders and has been owned by Yum! Brands since 1997. There are over 70 locations in Ukraine, the first of which opened in Kyiv in 2012