Damon Mcknight
KFC, or Kentucky Fried Chicken, has a long history in Australia, with the first outlet opening in 1968 in Guildford, a western suburb of Sydney. Since then, KFC has expanded rapidly across the country, with a total of 772 restaurants in operation across Australia as of October 2024. As of July 2025, there are 789 KFC restaurants in the country. With such a large presence, it is no surprise that Western Australia is home to several KFC stores. So, how many KFC outlets are there in Western Australia, and how does this compare to other states and territories?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of KFC stores in Western Australia | 28 (as of 2017) |
| Number of KFC stores in Australia | 772 (as of October 2024) |
| State with the highest number of KFC stores in Australia | New South Wales (243 stores as of October 2024) |
| State with the lowest number of KFC stores in Australia | Tasmania (17 stores as of October 2024) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
KFC's first Australian outlet
KFC, or Kentucky Fried Chicken as it was formerly known, opened its first Australian store in 1968. The inaugural KFC was located in the Sydney suburb of Guildford in the west of the city. The franchisee, Bob Lapointe, opened the store 3 years before McDonald's entered the Australian market.
At the time, KFC's lunch pack, consisting of one piece of chicken and chips, cost 45 cents. A family bucket of 15 pieces of chicken, gravy, and five rolls cost $3.95, while 21 pieces were $5.95. A small chips was 20 cents.
The first KFC franchise was opened in the United States in 1952 by Colonel Harland Sanders, who began selling fried chicken from his roadside restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky. He then launched his first store in Utah. The first overseas franchise was established in the United Kingdom in May 1965, three years before the first Australian outlet.
As of 2024, there were 772 KFC restaurants in operation across Australia, with New South Wales having the highest number of outlets at 243. By July 2025, this number had increased to 789 restaurants across Australia, with 250 in New South Wales alone.
A Push for Change: Strategies to Alter Australian Laws
You may want to see also
Explore related products
KFC in Tasmania
KFC has had a presence in Tasmania since the 1970s or 1980s. There were 17 KFC restaurants in Tasmania in 2024. One source mentions a KFC in Derwent Park, a northern suburb of Hobart, Tasmania.
KFC was in Tasmania long before McDonald's, with one person recalling that their grandmother took them to KFC in Devonport around 1984. Another person remembers KFC being in Burnie in 1985. The first McDonald's in Tasmania opened in Moonah in 1989.
The KFC in North Hobart operated from 1978 to 1998 on Elizabeth Street. It was deemed unprofitable due to its small size, lack of off-street parking, and low foot traffic. The site also had issues with vermin infestation due to the church hall behind it.
KFC has over 29,000 outlets in 147 countries and territories worldwide, with 10,000 of those stores in China alone. As of July 15, 2025, there were 789 KFC restaurants in Australia, with New South Wales home to the highest number, with 250 stores.
Public Smoking in Australia: Is It Banned?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
KFC in New South Wales
KFC is a fast-food chain with a presence in numerous countries across the globe. As of 2024, there were 29,000 KFC outlets in 147 countries and territories worldwide, with 10,000 of those stores located in China alone.
In Australia, there are 772-789 KFC restaurants as of 2024-2025. New South Wales has the highest number of KFC locations within Australia, with 243-250 stores. This accounts for around 32% of all KFC restaurants in the country.
In New South Wales, there are at least 62 KFC locations in shopping centres and malls. KFC outlets can be found in various suburbs, such as Derwent Park in Hobart, Tasmania.
With such a large number of KFC restaurants in New South Wales, the state offers a wide range of options for those seeking the chain's signature fried chicken and other menu items. The high concentration of KFC outlets in this state reflects the popularity and demand for the brand among both locals and tourists alike.
Australian Dollars and Yuan: Conversion Rates Explored
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$10.99
KFC's expansion in Australia
KFC has been expanding its operations in Australia, with a particular focus on high-tech innovations and convenience for customers. In April 2022, KFC announced plans to open 30 new high-tech restaurants across the country, marking a significant chapter in the company's expansion. These new stores will feature innovative designs and an emphasis on digital capabilities, allowing customers to order through the KFC app for a unique and time-saving experience.
The expansion comes as KFC adapts to evolving consumer preferences and seeks to enhance the convenience and speed of ordering. The introduction of drive-through-only concept stores, first piloted in Newcastle, has been well-received, with a second location opening in Mt Gambier, South Australia, soon after. As of 2022, the KFC app had been downloaded over 1.3 million times, highlighting the success of the company's digital initiatives.
As of October 2024, there were 772 KFC restaurants in operation across Australia, with New South Wales leading the count with 243 stores. By July 2025, the number of KFC restaurants in Australia had grown to 789, with New South Wales still holding the highest number of locations at 250. This expansion reflects KFC's commitment to investing in technology, innovative restaurant designs, and meeting the demands of a growing population.
KFC's expansion in Western Australia specifically has been limited, with the state being the only one excluded from the initial roll-out of new stores in 2022. However, Western Australia is home to several KFC outlets, including one in Derwent Park, a northern suburb of Hobart, Tasmania. As KFC continues its expansion across Australia, it is likely that the company will further develop its presence in Western Australia, bringing its unique brand of fast food to more communities in the state.
Growing Brunonia Australis: Tips for Cultivation Success
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$34.99
$9.99 $13.99
KFC's Western Australia franchise holder
KFC, or Kentucky Fried Chicken, was founded by Colonel Harland Sanders, an entrepreneur who began selling fried chicken from his roadside restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, during the Great Depression. Sanders franchised his recipe to his friend Pete Harman of South Salt Lake, Utah, in 1952, and the first "Kentucky Fried Chicken" franchise opened the same year. KFC was one of the first American fast-food chains to expand internationally, opening outlets in Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and Jamaica by the mid-1960s.
In 1969, Jack Cowin opened the first KFC franchise in Perth, Western Australia, and his company is now worth over $3 billion. Cowin owns 98% of his company, while the remaining 2% is held by original investors and shareholders. In 2013, Cowin sold his KFC franchise of 55 stores in a deal worth about $71 million.
Yum! Brands, the company that oversees KFC's global operations, typically grants a master franchise to a local operator or takes a stake in a joint venture with such a company. In 11 countries, including China, Russia, and India, Yum! International manages KFC directly. Worldwide, major franchise holders range from large local conglomerates to companies specifically established to run restaurant franchises. In Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia, the major franchise holders are publicly listed companies. In smaller markets, such as some Caribbean islands, a single individual may operate the franchise.
As of 2024, there were around 699 KFC restaurants in Australia, with New South Wales having the highest number of locations at 243 stores. Western Australia, where KFC first entered the Australian market, is home to a significant number of KFC outlets, contributing to the brand's presence in the country.
Australia's Compulsory Voting: When Did It Start?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
As of July 15, 2025, there are 789 KFC restaurants in Australia. While the exact number of stores in Western Australia is unclear, Collins Foods Limited acquired 28 KFC restaurants in Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia in June 2017.
The first Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet opened in Guildford, in Sydney’s western suburbs, on April 27, 1968.
The first KFC store in Australia was in Guildford, in Sydney’s western suburbs.
By January 1970, there were 38 KFC stores in Australia, with new stores opening at a rate of one per week.
