KFC franchise
KFC is the fried chicken chain built on Colonel Sanders' Original Recipe, selling bone-in chicken, tenders, sandwiches and family meals for dine-in, drive-thru and carryout. It is owned by Yum! Brands, which also franchises Taco Bell and Pizza Hut. At the end of 2025 there were 3,490 KFC locations in the US, 3,404 franchised and 86 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $2.11M–$4.16M
- Franchise fee
- $45,000
- Royalty
- 4–5.25%
- Locations, 2025
- 3,490−438 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- Franchising since
- 1952
- Franchisor based in
- Plano, Texas
- Time to open
- Must open within 18 months of signing
- Agreement length
- 20 years
- Territory
- Limited protection
- Financing
- None offered
From KFC US, LLC’s 2026 filing.
How much a KFC franchise costs
Opening a newly built KFC outlet costs an estimated $2,107,575 to $4,155,000. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: KFC US, LLC, 2026 filing, page 23
KFC franchise fee
The franchise fee is $45,000, paid as a $20,000 deposit fee and a $25,000 option fee. You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: KFC US, LLC, 2026 filing, page 16
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 4% to 5.25% of gross revenue (at least $1,440 a month), paid monthly. |
|---|---|
| Brand or marketing fund | 5.8% of gross revenue to the national co-op, paid monthly. |
Source: KFC US, LLC, 2026 filing, page 17
Sales and earnings
Shares figures KFC publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it is limited to Kalibrate sales forecasts for proposed sites, with no historical sales for existing outlets. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: KFC US, LLC, 2026 filing, page 50
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3,715 (−127) | 46 | 157 |
| 2024 | 3,558 (−157) | 79 | 185 |
| 2025 | 3,404 (−154) | 86 | 163 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: KFC US, LLC, 2026 filing, page 52
How KFC compares
Of the 11 chicken franchises on this site, KFC is the 7th cheapest to open and the largest by number of locations.
| Measure | KFC | Typical chicken |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $2.11M | $1.45M |
| Closed or left per year | 4.5% | 1.9% |
| Change in franchised locations, 3 yrs | −11.4% | +8.6% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 9 of 11 |
Typical is the median across the 11 brands in chicken franchises.
Other chicken franchises
KFC franchise questions
How long does it take to open a KFC?
Must open within 18 months of signing, according to KFC's 2026 filing. Finding a site, permits and build-out are what usually stretch it.
Does KFC help with financing?
No. KFC does not offer financing or guarantee loans or leases, so buyers arrange their own, usually a bank or SBA loan.
Do KFC franchisees get a protected territory?
Partly. You get some protection, but not an exclusive territory.
How long is a KFC franchise agreement?
The initial term is 20 years. Renewal is usually possible if you're in good standing, often for a fee and a remodel.
Is KFC growing or shrinking?
Over the last 3 years 67 franchised locations opened and 505 closed or left, a net change of −11.4%. About 4.5% of locations closed or left each year. That is above the 1.9% typical for chicken franchises.
How does KFC compare with other chicken franchises?
Of the 11 chicken franchises here, KFC is the 7th cheapest to open (low end $2.11M against a $1.45M median) and the largest by number of locations.
Does KFC say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it is limited to Kalibrate sales forecasts for proposed sites, with no historical sales for existing outlets. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is KFC based?
KFC US, LLC is based in Plano, Texas and the brand has sold franchises since 1952.