KFC

KFC is a global fast-food chain founded during the Great Depression and World War II era, alongside McDonald's, as part of the wave of cheap fast-food brands that met surging consumer demand for affordable, convenient meals . In the decades since, it has become one of America's most iconic brand exports, alongside Walmart and Coca-Cola, with its expansion tied to periods of U.S. economic dominance . In China, KFC operates under Yum China (百胜中国), the parent company that also runs Pizza Hut; as of 2023, Yum China reported 21% system sales growth and 79% core operating profit growth, with both brands credited for successful penetration into lower-tier cities . The chain has also served as a benchmark for Chinese food entrepreneurs aiming to build domestic equivalents—5Y Capital's Xiaoxiao Zhou cited Yum's multi-brand portfolio (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell) as the model China still lacks, with most local chains remaining single-brand operations . More recently, KFC's 2018 "Crazy Thursday" promotion unexpectedly became a viral internet meme in 2022 .