With 5,200 locations, China is home to the most KFCs in the world. In comparison, McDonald's only has around 2,500 locations. KFC was the first American fast-food chain to open there. Before 1987, China was pretty much closed off to the rest of the world.
The major markets for KFC include China (7,166 stores), the United States (3,943 stores), Japan (1,140 stores), Russia (979 stores), South Africa (955 stores), the United Kingdom (928 stores), Thailand (853 stores), Malaysia (743 stores), Indonesia (742 stores), Australia (699 stores), and Canada (601 stores).
The Beijing Railway Station KFC holds the distinction as being the busiest in the world. What makes this location so busy? It's simply all about its location. Beijing Railway Station is an important hub for the entire nation's railway transportation system.
Japan is the third-largest market for KFC after China and the United States with 1,165 outlets as of December 2014. In Japan, 70 percent of sales are takeout, with customers tending to buy fried chicken for parties and other special occasions and eating it as a side dish.
The official story from KFC Japan says that Okawara went to a Christmas party dressed as Santa Claus, and when the kids loved it, he was inspired to create the KFC Christmas specials. Another legend still says that Okawara, overheard foreigners looking for Christmas dinner traditions in Japan.
Just like in the United States, the appeal of KFC in Asia also comes down to something simple: It tastes really damn good. The Colonel's secret herbs and spices recipe gives KFC an air of mystery while also being straight-up addictive.
There's a love affair with Japanese food going on in Australia that is driven by the cuisine's seasonality, simplicity, and abundance of flavor.
KFC, the fried-chicken restaurant chain, has halted operations in Fiji, amid a row over imports of the ingredients to make its flavoured crumb coating.
1. Sushi. Sushi is the most famous Japanese dish and the first thing people think of when they think of Japanese cuisine.
Since the 1970s, KFC has been embedded in Japanese culture as a part of the local Christmas tradition and celebrations.
In 2020, the global KFC website published its own explainer, noting that the original idea for the campaign came when a foreign customer who visited KFC in Tokyo on Christmas day said, "I can't get turkey in Japan, so I have no choice but to celebrate Christmas with Kentucky Fried Chicken".
With 5,200 locations, China is home to the most KFCs in the world. In comparison, McDonald's only has around 2,500 locations. KFC was the first American fast-food chain to open there. Before 1987, China was pretty much closed off to the rest of the world.
It's especially popular in Thailand, where KFC operates more than 950 restaurants, sells 25 million pieces of chicken monthly, and is considered the number-one restaurant brand in the country based on sales.
But why? Turns out the entire thing can be traced back to one man: Takeshi Okawara, the enterprising manager of the first KFC in Japan, opened in Nagoya in November 1970. The company line is that Okawara had a dream about selling a party bucket full of chicken, and started a one-store campaign to boost sales.
The Enhanced Media Metrics Australia report found young Australians were the most likely to eat out and eat fast food, with 60 per cent of those aged 14-29 eating fast food at least once a month compared with the national average of 45 per cent.
Australian McDonald's (Maccas) offers table service, and the food tastes fresher. The first McCafe opened in Melbourne, and the cafe serves high-quality coffee and pastries. There are plenty of Maccas items that aren't available in the US, like the Big Brekkie Burger and the McFeast.
Coles Group, Subway and McDonald's are the largest food chains in Australia in 2022 based on the number of locations. Coles Group has the most number of locations with 1,544 locations across 8 states and territories. Subway has 1,220 and McDonald's has 1,029 locations in Australia.
1. Chicken parmigiana. This classic Aussie chicken dish – with roots in Italian-American cooking – is a staple offering at many pub menus in the country. Whether you call it a parmi/parmy or a parma (but never a parmo), there's huge debate about where does the best parmigiana in Australia.
Of course vegemite is always at the top of the list, but there are other foods we feel are particularly iconic as well. Fairy Bread, Sausage Sizzles, Chip Sangas, Tim Tam Slams and Chicken Parmys, just to name a few.