by SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – KENTUCKY Fried Chicken (KFC) Africa is accelerating its South African expansion drive with the launch of “KFC: The Next 100”, an ambitious growth initiative aimed at identifying new restaurant locations while driving job creation, infrastructure development and economic inclusion.
The fast-food giant said the programme builds on the success of its previous expansion campaign, which attracted more than 1,700 site submissions across South Africa in 2025.
The company opened 100 new restaurants across Africa during the same period, underlining its aggressive continental growth strategy.
KFC Africa General Manager, Akhona Qengqe, said South Africa remained central to the company’s long-term investment ambitions.
“We opened 100 new restaurants across Africa in 2025, and our appetite for growth in South Africa has never been stronger,” Qengqe said.
He noted that every new KFC outlet created an average of 35 direct jobs while also stimulating local infrastructure upgrades and broader economic activity.
“This is nation-building through job creation and economic opportunity,” he said.
The latest initiative seeks closer collaboration with property owners, developers, municipalities, retailers and business forums to identify commercially viable locations for future outlets.
At the same time, KFC will continue encouraging public participation through its R60,000 finder’s fee for successful site recommendations that lead to restaurant openings.
The company said several sites submitted during last year’s campaign were already under consideration, highlighting strong demand for expansion into underserved communities, townships and smaller towns.
KFC’s preferred locations include drive-through sites measuring approximately 1,500 square metres and inline retail spaces between 120 and 150 square metres situated in busy commercial areas, shopping centres, fuel stations and transport corridors.
The expansion comes at a time when South Africa’s quick-service restaurant sector continues to demonstrate strong growth despite broader economic challenges.
Industry projections estimate the sector could reach R88 billion this year, supported by annual growth of around eight percent.
KFC believes its expansion strategy can contribute meaningfully towards addressing South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis, particularly among citizens aged between 15 and 34 years.
“Each new restaurant is effectively a jobs programme,” Qengqe said.
He added that beyond direct employment, every new outlet generated around 100 additional opportunities through suppliers, logistics operators and local service providers.
The company also emphasised that improved infrastructure and increased commercial activity around new restaurants often benefited surrounding communities.
KFC said the initiative forms part of its broader African growth ambitions as it seeks to strengthen its footprint across key regional markets while expanding economic participation and long-term investment opportunities.
– CAJ News