Home KFC2025 vs. 2026
FDD Year-over-Year Comparison

KFC FDD: What Changed from 2025 to 2026

KFC's 2026 FDD lists an Item 7 estimated initial investment of $2,107,575–$4,155,000, against $1,852,825–$3,771,550 in the 2025 filing.

Source: WI state filings · Updated July 2026 · ClearlyFDD

Item 7 — Estimated Initial Investment

2025 FDD2026 FDDChange
Low end of range$1,852,825$2,107,575+$254,750
High end of range$3,771,550$4,155,000+$383,450
Full range$1,852,825–$3,771,550$2,107,575–$4,155,000

The 2026 filing puts the Item 7 estimated initial investment at $2,107,575–$4,155,000, against $1,852,825–$3,771,550 in the 2025 filing.

2025 filing: Item 7 provides separate total estimated expenditure ranges for newly constructed Outlets and for reopened/remodeled/converted Outlets. 2026 filing: Renewal fee is subject to adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index. Separate development agreement fees are not included in this summary. See Item 6 for a full list of recurring and non-recurring fees.

Item 20 — System Size (Outlet Count)

2025 FDD2026 FDDChange
Total outlets (Item 20)3,6383,490−148 (−4.1%)
Franchised outlets3,5583,404−154 (−4.3%)
Company-owned outlets8086+6
Openings during the year3010−20
Closures during the year153155+2

KFC reports 3,490 outlets in the 2026 FDD, against 3,638 in the 2025 filing — a change of −148 (−4.1%).

Outlet counts as each filing states them — 2025: December 30, 2024; 2026: Fiscal year ended December 29, 2025. Outlet counts reflect end-of-year systemwide totals and include affiliate or company-owned locations as 'company-owned.' See Item 20 tables for breakdowns of openings, closures, and transfers by state.

Item 19 — Financial Performance Representations

KFC included an Item 19 financial performance representation in both the 2025 and 2026 filings. The 2026 filing discloses financial performance, broken out across 3 outlet segments for KFCLLC fiscal year ended December 29, 2025 (FYE 2025).

Item 6 — Ongoing Fees

2025 FDD2026 FDDChange
Standard royalty rate5%5.25%unchanged

The standard royalty rate holds at 5.25% of Gross Revenue across both filings.

2026 filing: Royalty rates for new outlets vary: 4% for Legacy Franchisees and 5% for non-Legacy Franchisees; if acquiring an existing Outlet, the transferred rate may range from 4% to 5.25%, including adjustments per Brand Contribution Option Amendment.

Frequently asked questions

Did the cost to open a KFC franchise change in the 2026 FDD?

The 2026 FDD for KFC states an Item 7 estimated initial investment of $2,107,575–$4,155,000, against $1,852,825–$3,771,550 in the 2025 filing. The low end moves from $1,852,825 to $2,107,575 (+$254,750) and the high end moves from $3,771,550 to $4,155,000 (+$383,450).

How many locations does KFC have?

The 2026 FDD for KFC reports 3,490 outlets in Item 20, against 3,638 in the 2025 filing — 148 fewer.

How many KFC locations closed?

The 2026 FDD for KFC reports 155 outlet closures for the year it covers, against 153 in the 2025 filing.

Did KFC change its royalty rate?

No. Both the 2025 and 2026 filings for KFC state a standard royalty of 5.25%.

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