Area served Israel | Founded Israel (1993) Number of locations 10 (2009) Products Fried chicken | |
KFC Israel (Hebrew: קנטאקי פרייד צ'יקן ) was the Israeli franchise of KFC, which opened its first branch in Israel in 1993.
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History
On 13 October 1993, KFC announced their intention of opening their first location in Israel. Their first location would open two weeks later in Rishon LeZion. KFC in Israel was originally franchised by Clal Trading Limited, who also held the Pizza Hut Israel franchise.
In 2002, Dor Energy purchased the rights to the KFC Israel franchises and elected to close 4 of the chains 6 locations, however they began expanding again and by 2009 they had 10 locations. By 2013 all locations had closed.
Kashrut
In 2009 KFC Israel received permission, after two years of requesting, to replace their milk-based coating with a soy-based coating. By making this substitution KFC was able to make their locations in Israel kosher. Two out of the eight locations at the time were transitioned into kosher locations; however, the soy coating was utilized at all locations. KFC Israel stated that the new coating tasted identical to the old one.
West Bank franchises
Many fast food chains in the West Bank such as McDonald's have trouble getting franchises without going through the Israeli franchisee. KFC however did not feel this was needed and allowed the first Palestinian owned location to open in Ramallah in 2012. As of 2016, KFC has locations in four cities in the Palestinian Authority controlled area, Hebron, Bethlehem, Jenin, and three separate outlets in Ramallah: the Ersal Branch (Bacri), Plaza Mall Branch and Masyoun Branch . In 2013 the New York Times reported that KFC was being smuggled into Gaza through tunnels.