KFC is opening a pilot restaurant in McKinney designed to test a new fast-casual dining model. The location, situated off El Dorado Parkway, introduces several operational changes aimed at modernizing the customer experience while maintaining lower price points.
The restaurant features patio seating and a "Celebration Booth" equipped with customizable digital screens for occasions such as birthdays. This booth is available on a first-come, first-served basis at no extra charge. Inside, lobby hosts greet visitors, and dine-in orders are delivered directly to tables. Customers may place orders via self-service kiosks or through staff members.
The menu expands beyond traditional offerings to include spicy pickles, fried green beans, and rainbow slaw alongside standard sides. Breakfast options feature sandwiches, hash browns, and iced lattes. During favorable weather, employees utilize tablets to take drive-thru orders from outside the building. A display case showcases branded merchandise including socks, sweatshirts, phone cases, and water bottles.
KFC U.S., headquartered in Plano, is using this site as a testing ground for new foods and preparation methods. The company hopes the McKinney location will help reverse declining engagement among American consumers. KFC U.S. president Catherine Tan-Gillespie described the concept as providing a fast-casual experience without the associated high costs.
Tan-Gillespie noted that eight-piece buckets with two large sides and biscuits are priced at $29. She stated that the design reflects what the company founder might have created if building the restaurant today, aiming to integrate the brand into daily life rather than just memories.
