Yum China Holdings, Inc. has announced the opening of its first franchised KFC gas station restaurants in collaboration with both China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec) and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).
The first franchised KFC gas station-located restaurant since signing the cooperation agreement was opened in a CNPC gas station in Kunming, Yunnan Province. Meanwhile, in Dalian, Liaoning Province, the first KFC franchised restaurant in a Sinopec gas station is set to open its doors on December 23, 2019.
At present, Sinopec and CNPC collectively operate over 50,000 gas stations in China, of which more than 30,000 belong to Sinopec and more than 20,000 belong to CNPC. The partnership with both companies will enable Yum China to accelerate the expansion of its portfolio of brands into a previously underserved segment of the market, specifically gas stations and highway service areas across the country. Under the cooperation agreements, Yum China has a robust store development pipeline with a target to open over 100 stores over three years, using a variety of different models.
Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China said: “We are delighted that within a year, our collaborations with Sinopec and CNPC are already starting to bear fruit. The first franchised gas station restaurants represent an important milestone in our long-term strategic partnership with both companies. Together, with Sinopec and CNPC, we are committed to building a successful business model and creating innovation-driven growth together.”
These openings come after a pilot franchised KFC restaurant opened in October 2018 at a CNPC gas station located in Tangshan, Hebei Province. According to the agreement, KFC has become CNPC’s only Western quick-service restaurant franchise partner in its gas station channel.
As vehicle ownership continues to grow, gas stations and highway service areas provide Yum China with the opportunity to offer consumers better catering products, services, and experiences, as well as contribute to the upgrading of gas stations and highway service areas throughout China. Yum China will also work with Sinopec and CNPC to explore additional opportunities to collaborate in other fields that can bring more convenient and innovative experiences to consumers across China.
Yum China Holdings, Inc. is a licensee of Yum! Brands in mainland China. It has exclusive rights in mainland China to KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. Yum China also owns the Little Sheep, East Dawning and COFFii & JOY concepts outright. The company had more than 8,900 restaurants in over 1,300 cities at the end of September 2019.
