KFC UK system sales rise 9% in Q1

The company said KFC’s performance is expected to remain solid into Q2.

Yum! Brands reported that KFC UK system sales rose 9% in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026.

The company said KFC’s performance is expected to remain solid into Q2, partly due to a limited-time menu item called “Pickle Mania,” which it described as its strongest UK promotion to date.

Across the group, worldwide system sales increased 6%, excluding foreign exchange effects.

The KFC division added 648 gross new restaurants in 45 countries.

Company-owned restaurant margins improved to 10.3%, up 1 percentage point from a year earlier.

At Taco Bell, the division opened 30 gross new locations in eight countries.

In the U.S., system sales increased 10% and same-store sales rose 8%, with company-owned margins at 23.9%.

International system sales rose 16% excluding currency effects, whilst same-store sales increased 5%.

Pizza Hut opened 346 gross new restaurants in 27 countries. Foreign exchange added $2m to operating profit.

Habit Burger & Grill opened six new restaurants. System sales at the brand increased 7%, with same-store sales up 5%.