Meet Tony Lowings, KFC CEO

KFC has earned the title of one of world's largest and most popular fast food franchises. While we all know that the iconic Colonel Sanders discovered the finger-lickin’ blend of herbs and spices, not many people know who is running the influential brand now.

Who is KFC CEO, Tony Lowings?

• The current CEO of KFC is Tony Lowings. He began his career at KFC in 1994, as a planning director. From there, he ran the KFC New South Wales market and, soon after, he landed the role of General Manager of KFC and Pizza Hut in Australia and New Zealand.
• However, he soon experienced a real culture shock, as Yum! asked him to move to Miami to oversee the Latin American market for KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Long John Silvers and A&W. While the US wasn’t too far from home, working in South America required him to approach management in new and different ways.
• Since then, he has held positions including Managing Director of Asia-Pacific and President and COO of KFC.
• Tony Lowings’ 24-year history with Yum! Brands and his loyalty to the company has been rewarded with one of the organisation’s top roles. On the 1st January 2019, he took over as KFC CEO and led the fast food giant into a new era. Fortunately, Lowing’s history meant he was adequately prepared, having held a variety of positions before his time at the company.

What is KFC?

KFC is one of the UK’s most popular quick service restaurant brands, known for its signature 11 herbs and spices. Since opening its first UK store in Preston in 1965, KFC has grown to over 1,040 restaurants across the country as of 2024. Many of these outlets are now drive-thru or delivery-enabled, reflecting the brand’s digital-first evolution.

Sales have continued to climb, with UK system sales exceeding £1.5 billion annually, driven by strong performance in delivery, mobile app ordering, and meal deal promotions. KFC UK has also modernised operations by introducing automated kitchens, AI-powered forecasting, and mobile-led loyalty programmes.

As a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, which also owns Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, KFC forms part of the world’s largest restaurant company by unit count, with more than 55,000 restaurants in over 155 countries. Notably, KFC UK is considered a training and development hub for much of Europe, thanks to its high operational standards and customer satisfaction ratings.

Beyond business, KFC also gives back through its Add Hope foundation, supporting children’s education and food security initiatives in local communities.

Does KFC franchise?

Yes, KFC operates as a franchise and has long embraced a partnership model to grow its footprint across the UK. In fact, over 95% of KFC restaurants in the UK are owned and operated by franchisees, and the company continues to shift toward an almost fully franchised network.

That said, KFC UK is not currently recruiting new single-unit franchisees. Instead, it partners with multi-site operators, corporate investors, and experienced foodservice groups capable of developing multiple restaurants and managing larger territories. KFC also works closely with existing franchise partners on site expansion, digital transformation, and localised marketing efforts.

To stay informed about future opportunities, it’s best to regularly check KFC’s franchise page or contact them directly for updates.

Similar opportunities in the fried chicken restaurant industry

1. Franzos

Founded in 2012 as an alternative to the dominant piri-piri restaurant brand in the UK, this food franchise set its sights on becoming the go-to choice for delicious, freshly-cooked piri-piri chicken. Franzos is determined to challenge the market leaders and encourages interested franchisees to get in touch now to reserve a territory.

• Becoming a Franzos franchisee: The ideal Franzos franchisee is someone with a can-do attitude and a good understanding of exceptional customer service. You should be a thoughtful manager in order to understand and attend to the personal and professional needs of staff. It is essential to be passionate about all things Franzos and respect the brand’s values and ethos. To learn more and sign up, click here.
• How much you need to invest: Interested franchisees need to make a minimum investment of £150,000, including franchise fees of £17,500. The franchise suggests that the respected revenue after two years is £750,000.
• What you get for your investment: Franzos offers in-store franchisee training spread over two weeks, assistance with the recruitment and training of staff, comprehensive business support and unique marketing campaigns to ensure that you can hit the ground running.

>> Read more:

• These 5 Top Chicken Franchises in the UK Are Finger-Lickin’ Good
• Q&A: Does Popeyes Chicken Franchise in the UK?
• Chicken & Waffles- Why Not Create Your Own Restaurant?

2. Chunky Chicken

This piri-piri chicken franchise is a rapidly expanding food service concept that offers dine-in, takeaway and delivery options across the UK.

• Becoming a Chunky Chicken franchisee: Franchisees must buy ingredients and minor operating equipment from designated suppliers, safeguarding quality and conforming to operating standards.
• How much you need to invest: The information regarding franchise costs and fees is not available online. However, you can head to the Chunky Chicken website and fill in the application form for more details.
• What you get for your investment: New franchisees will attend a 12-16-week training programme that covers food preparation, hygiene and safety, ordering and inventory control, first aid, customer service, business principles and financial reporting.

3. Dixy Chicken

Born in 1986, this franchise is one of the fastest growing chicken restaurant chains in Europe, with over 100 outlets across the UK and worldwide. Dixy Chicken’s main offering is its crispy fried chicken, coated in a unique blend of spices, as well as grilled chicken and a variety of nutritious salads. This ensures the brand serves chicken that everyone can enjoy.

• Becoming a Dixy Chicken franchisee: The ideal franchisee is anyone who strives for innovation, quality, big returns and strong international growth. How much you need to invest:* The minimum investment required for a Dixy Chicken franchise is around £120,000.
• What you get for your investment: The Dixy Chicken management team goes above and beyond to support its franchisees, offering help with setting up the entire outlet, maintaining brand identity, marketing and the launch day.