KFC unveils its first European flagship on Prague’s Wenceslas Square

KFC has launched its first-ever flagship restaurant in Europe on Prague's Wenceslas Square. Situated at the corner of Štěpánská Street, this store is only the fifth KFC flagship in the world.

Spanning 766 square meters, the restaurant is the largest KFC in the Czech Republic and features 152 seats. The new store also embraces digital advancements, featuring more ordering kiosks and the ability to place orders via QR code from the table.

The branch also includes a designer chandelier, an illuminated mirror corridor, and a spiral staircase leading to the second floor. Beyond its impressive design, the flagship KFC offers exclusive merchandise, including chicken-themed socks—an item not available at other locations. Conveniently, the store is open almost all week. The only time it closes is between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. on Monday morning.

Despite being surrounded by fast-food competitors like McDonald's and Popeyes on Wenceslas Square, head of KFC Czech Republic Ivana Makalová Dlouhá is confident in the restaurant's success. She believes that changing dining habits, such as a rise in eating out, will ensure the continued popularity of both the new Wenceslas Square location and the nearby KFC (which lies opposite Popeyes).

Speaking of other flagships, Makalová Dlouhá said: “[We have] locations in Singapore and the U.S. We’re also considering a future location in Rome.”

KFC showcased its continued success in the Czech Republic at a global conference in Singapore recently, where it was announced that the Czech market was the best-performing worldwide. With around 27 million customers in 2023, the chain is on track to expand from 129 to 135 locations by year-end, including one in Jindřichov Hradec, a town of just 21,000 residents.

Overall, the popularity of fast food is growing nationwide, according to a report from Czech Television. With over 30 years of presence in the Czech market, fast-food restaurants continue to expand and attract more customers, often drawing business away from traditional restaurants. 

People now frequent fast food outlets from breakfast to dinner, with some visiting multiple times a day. While restaurant prices rose by 7 percent year-on-year in August, fast food price increases remain lower, at 5-6 percent. Experts attribute this growing appeal to the offerings of fast food chains.

Fast food's popularity is also borne out by the fact that popular American chains Five Guys and Wendy's are set to soon open in Czechia in the coming 12 months.