KFC is stepping up its expansion in Zambia, with plans to open 25 new restaurants as the fast-food chain seeks to grow its presence, create jobs and strengthen its connections with local communities.
The expansion marks a new phase for the brand, with its Streetwise menu positioned at the centre of efforts to make KFC more accessible to consumers across different income levels. The company says the strategy is aimed at moving the brand beyond occasional dining towards a more regular place in the daily lives of Zambians.
“Zambian consumers are resourceful,” said Akhona Qengqe, KFC Africa General Manager. “They make a plan, they make a little go a long way, and they keep moving forward. Streetwise is us saying: we respect that hustle. We’re built for your life, not the other way around.”
Qengqe said the investment reflects confidence in Zambia’s market and the brand’s potential to build stronger connections with consumers. She added that the Streetwise offering was not simply about competing on price, but about making KFC relevant to everyday customers.
KFC currently operates 17 restaurants in Zambia, including 13 in the Lusaka area and four in the Copperbelt region. Its latest addition, in Mazabuka, opened in September.
The planned rollout will extend the chain’s reach beyond its existing locations, with new restaurants expected in Chingola, Solwezi, Livingstone and Kapiri Mposhi, alongside further openings in Lusaka. Another 12 sites have also been identified as part of the company’s longer-term expansion plans.
Beyond increasing its restaurant network, KFC expects the investment to support local employment. Each new restaurant typically creates around 30 jobs, with women accounting for approximately 60 per cent of those employed, according to Qengqe.
She said the company was focused on developing local talent and creating opportunities for employees to progress into more senior roles. South African team members supporting selected restaurants are in Zambia to transfer operational expertise and strengthen local capabilities, she added.
The long-term objective, Qengqe said, is to build operations led and managed by Zambians and closely connected to the communities they serve.
The expansion also forms part of KFC Africa’s wider growth ambitions. The business operates approximately 1,600 restaurants across 22 sub-Saharan African markets and aims to increase that number to 3,000 by 2035.
In Zambia, the company is also looking to deepen its local supply chains, particularly in agriculture, as it seeks to reduce reliance on imports and create more opportunities for domestic businesses.
“We’re committed to building supply ecosystems that reduce dependence on imports and create lasting prosperity, and this new chapter in Zambia is an expression of that promise,” Qengqe said.
As KFC expands its footprint, the success of its Zambia strategy will depend not only on opening new restaurants, but also on building a locally rooted workforce, strengthening domestic supplier relationships and maintaining the affordability that underpins its Streetwise offering.
