KFC Tests New Restaurant Concept in Texas
Fast-food brand KFC is testing a modern restaurant concept in Texas featuring updated designs, expanded food choices, and new beverage offerings.
Quick facts
- KFC opened a prototype restaurant in McKinney, Texas.
- The project is led by KFC U.S. President Catherine Tan-Gillespie.
- The test location features an updated design, new beverages, and expanded food choices.
Why it matters
The decision to test a new prototype reflects broader trends in the fast-food industry, where legacy brands frequently update physical layouts to compete with fast-casual alternatives. While the company has not confirmed a nationwide rollout schedule, pilot locations serve as testing grounds for potential long-term menu and design changes.
Fast-food brand KFC has opened a prototype restaurant in McKinney, Texas, to test a modern dining experience and new ideas for reclaiming its market position, according to reports from AP News and Fox News.
The new location blends founder Colonel Harland Sanders' original hospitality vision with updated design elements, expanded food choices, and new beverage offerings.
What happened at the Texas restaurant?
The newly opened prototype features a refreshed look alongside menu updates designed to test how consumers respond to a modernized brand experience.
According to KFC U.S. President Catherine Tan-Gillespie, who spoke with Fox News Digital, the restaurant aims to merge traditional hospitality principles with contemporary dining preferences.
Why is the restaurant concept trending?
Online search interest surged as food industry observers and consumers took note of the brand's attempt to revamp its traditional setup.
The company stated the pilot project is intended to evaluate ideas that could influence future store layouts and menus across the wider franchise network.
What happens next?
Details regarding whether this modern format will be rolled out nationwide were not available at the time of writing.
The company is expected to use consumer feedback from the McKinney prototype to guide future operational decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the new KFC restaurant located?
The prototype restaurant is located in McKinney, Texas, where the brand is testing modern design elements, expanded menu items, and new beverage options.
Why is the restaurant project being tested?
The test aims to evaluate new ideas for modernizing the brand experience, combining the founder's original hospitality vision with updated customer preferences.
Who leads the KFC U.S. operations?
Catherine Tan-Gillespie serves as the KFC U.S. President and discussed the details of the new prototype with Fox News Digital.
Will other locations get this new restaurant design?
Details regarding a wider rollout to other cities or states were not available at the time of writing as the pilot phase is ongoing.
What changes are included on the menu?
The test location features expanded food choices and new beverage offerings alongside updated restaurant architecture.
When did the new restaurant open?
The opening of the McKinney, Texas, prototype was reported in late September 2026 as part of the brand's latest business tests.
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Last checked Sep 26, 2026 at 5:10 AM. Trends move fast, so details may change. How we work
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