KFC pilots new concept in McKinney
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Modern decor and advertisement-free windows are part of KFC's Open House concept in McKinney. Photo: Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi/Axios
Patio seating, a booth for special celebrations, lobby hosts and expanded menu options are part of a new concept that KFC is testing in McKinney.
Why it matters: Tracing its roots to the 1930s, the fried chicken chain has built a strong presence around the world but has lost its luster among Americans.
- KFC hopes its McKinney location off El Dorado Parkway will play a key role in the company's comeback.
State of play: At the Open House incubator in McKinney, the company will test new foods and preparation methods at a functioning location to see which of them can be expanded to other locations. KFC U.S. is headquartered in Plano.
- "There's so much love for the brand, but it is almost as if KFC lives in people's memories and not so much in the moments of today," KFC U.S. president Catherine Tan-Gillespie said Tuesday during a press preview of the McKinney location.
- Menu items include handhelds and sides of spicy pickles, fried green beans and rainbow slaw. Breakfast options include sandwiches, iced lattes and hash browns.
Vibe check: A host greets visitors as they enter, offering them a more personable experience. Customers have the option to order at a kiosk or with an employee. Dine-in orders are brought to the table.
- There's also a display case with KFC merch, including socks, sweatshirts, phone cases and water bottles.
- When the weather is nice, employees take drive-thru orders using tablets.
- "It's a fast-casual experience without the fast-casual price tag," Tan-Gillespie says. For example, eight-piece buckets with two large sides and biscuits cost $29.
The intrigue: The McKinney restaurant's large "Celebration Booth" has digital screens that can be customized for occasions like birthdays.
- The booth is available on a first-come, first-served basis and there is no added cost to use it.
What they're saying: "We basically imagined, 'If the colonel was building this restaurant today, what would it look like?' And that's been a kind of his spirit and his ethos throughout everything," Tan-Gillespie says, referring to the company's founder.
What's next: The McKinney location opens Saturday morning. The grand opening is on Sunday.