KFC Launches Learning Lab Restaurant

KFC Corp. (Plano, Texas) has unveiled plans to open its first Open House restaurant prototype on Sept. 26 in McKinney, Texas. The Open House will introduce “bold new flavors, new dayparts and new ways for guests to experience the House of Fried Chicken,” the company said in a news release.

“Open House brings the Kentucky Fried Comeback to life in one restaurant,” said Catherine Tan-Gillespie, President, KFC U.S. “We’re building on the craveable fried chicken and genuine hospitality people have always loved about KFC, while introducing new flavors, new experiences and more ways to enjoy the brand. It gives guests a reason to try us, or try us again, while giving us a real restaurant where we can learn what works for guests, our teams and the business, and scale the strongest ideas across the system.”

Inspired by mid-century modern design as a nod to the era during which the KFC brand was born, the 3400-square-foot restaurant features warm timber accents, oversized windows and flexible indoor, outdoor and breezeway seating for up to 52 guests total. In addition, “every aspect of the Open House experience is designed around a simple idea: digital where it helps, and human where it matters,” the company noted.

Other features of the new concept include:

* Table service, which “bring a more personal, hospitality-first experience to the restaurant.”

* Dual drive-thru lanes and a dedicated mobile pick-up lane for faster, more efficient service.

* Self-order kiosks and digital menu boards.

* A celebration booth with a digitally enhanced, immersive photo booth experience built for the moments worth sharing.

* A swag bar featuring exclusive KFC-branded apparel and souvenirs.

Click here for more details about the prototype’s innovations.