DURBAN and the wider eThekwini district saw the opening of seven new KFC restaurants during 2025, highlighting the fast-food giant’s continued expansion across KZN as it looks beyond major urban centres and into underserved communities.

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The new outlets opened at Cowey Park, Glenwood (King Dinuzulu Road), Isipingo Station Centre, Mbazwana, Kingscrest Centre and Cotsworld Square, forming part of KFC South Africa’s broader growth strategy aimed at increasing its footprint in townships and smaller towns.

As part of the next phase of growth, the company is calling on property owners, developers, municipal representatives and the public to help identify suitable sites for future restaurants in South Africa. The initiative previously attracted around 1 700 site submissions, and KFC is once again offering a R60 000 finder’s fee for successful site recommendations.

The expansion falls under KFC’s “The Next 100 SA” initiative, which seeks to identify new locations in communities where access to quality food outlets and formal employment opportunities remain limited.

According to Akhona Qengqe, general manager of KFC Africa, the programme is focused on bringing investment and employment opportunities closer to communities that have historically been overlooked.

“We want to reach underserved communities where KFC can make the greatest impact,” said Qengqe. “That means bringing quality, access and jobs closer to home for people who’ve historically had to travel for both.”

She added that every new outlet creates an average of 35 direct formal jobs for local youth, and supports up to 100 more livelihoods through local suppliers and transport.

“Besides employment, these new developments often contribute to wider infrastructure improvements in surrounding areas, including upgrades to roads and utilities, while creating community gathering spaces through modern amenities such as Wi-Fi access,” she said.

The fast food giant plans to significantly expand its national footprint, with ambitions to reach 3 000 restaurants by 2035.

You can submit potential sites here. For more information about site requirements, selection criteria and the submission process, visit Purpose KFC.

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