KFC Israel

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KFC Israel (קנטאקי פרייד צ'יקן)
IndustryFast-food restaurant
FoundedIsrael (1993)
Headquarters
Number of locations
16 (2023)
Area served
Israel
ProductsFried chicken
ParentKFC
Websitewww.kfc.co.il

KFC Israel (Hebrew: קנטאקי פרייד צ'יקן) is the Israeli franchise of KFC, which opened its first branch in Israel in the 1980s. The chain closed its last location in 2012. In February 2020, the chain re-entered the country. Currently there are 16 branches located in Nazareth, Daliyat al-Karmel, Baqa al-Gharbiyye, Haifa, Rosh Pina, Nof HaGalil, Yarka, Be'er Sheba, Ramla, Ashdod, Umm al-Fahm, Zikhron Ya'akov, Kiryat Bialik, Petah Tikva, Emek HaYarden, and Tel Aviv. The company has plans to open more locations across the country.

History[edit]

In the 1980s, KFC made their first attempt to enter Israel, however it failed and did not last long.[1]

On 13 October 1993, KFC announced their intention of reopening in Israel. Their first location would open two weeks later in Rishon LeZion.[2] KFC in Israel was originally franchised by Clal Trading Limited, who also held the Pizza Hut Israel franchise.[3]

In 2002, Dor Energy purchased the rights to the KFC Israel franchises and elected to close 4 of the chains 6 locations,[4] however they began expanding again and by 2009 they had 10 locations.[5] By 2012 all locations had closed.[6]

During the summer 2018, KFC announced interest in reopening franchises in Israel, and sent a delegation to meet with potential franchisees,[7] stating that they have strong confidence in the Israeli market,[8] especially the Anglo community.[9] This would mark KFC's fourth attempt at entering the Israeli market.[10] KFC announced their hopes at opening 100 branches in Israel.[11] In February 2019, KFC began hiring for their re-opening in Israel.[12] The first branch was opened one year later in the city of Nazareth on 3 February 2020.

Kashrut[edit]

In 2009 KFC Israel received permission, after two years of requesting, to replace their milk-based coating with a soy-based coating.[5] By making this substitution KFC was able to make their locations in Israel kosher, even though the kosher branches already had non-dairy coating. Two out of the eight locations at the time were already kosher locations; however, the soy coating was utilized at all locations.[13] KFC Israel stated at the time that the new coating tasted identical to the old one;[14] however, the former owner later claimed that becoming kosher had been the main reason for the chain's failure.[15]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ JTA. "KFC set to relaunch in Israel". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2019-03-11.
  2. ^ KFC TO OPENI N ISRAEL – Retrieved 29 August 2014
  3. ^ Clal firm sells rights in Pizza Hut, KFC – Retrieved 29 August 2014
  4. ^ ISRAEL: KFC fails to realize potential, operations close – Retrieved 29 August 2014
  5. ^ a b The World Yearns for Kentucky Fried Chicken – Retrieved 29 August 2014
  6. ^ "KFC hiring staff ahead of reopening in Israel". Globes (in Hebrew). 2019-02-19. Retrieved 2019-03-11.
  7. ^ "KFC's Israel comeback: Will the Colonel's chicken fly this time? - Israel News - Jerusalem Post". www.jpost.com. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 2019-03-11.
  8. ^ www.israelhayom.co.il https://www.israelhayom.co.il/article/583167. Retrieved 2019-03-11. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ^ "KFC Aiming to Open 100 Israeli Branches in Major Comeback". Algemeiner.com. Retrieved 2019-03-11.
  10. ^ Sigalos, Darren Geeter, MacKenzie (2018-12-01). "KFC to compete with McDonald's and Pizza Hut in Israel". www.cnbc.com. Retrieved 2019-03-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Israel, David (29 August 2018). "KFC Announces It's Definitely Coming Back to Israel". Retrieved 2019-03-11.
  12. ^ "KFC reportedly recruiting staff ahead of reopening in Israel". St. Louis Jewish Light. Retrieved 2019-03-11.
  13. ^ KFC Israel Going Kosher – Retrieved 29 August 2014
  14. ^ רק בישראל: קנטאקי פרייד צ'יקן בדרך לכשרות – Retrieved 29 August 2014
  15. ^ "KFC to reopen in Israel?". Israel National News. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-03-11.

External links[edit]