KFC debuts Open House restaurant in Texas to test new customer experiences

DALLAS — Kentucky Fried Chicken is testing a new restaurant concept in Texas featuring an expanded menu and table service, according to a report published Sept. 24, 2026, by CNBC Retail. The test location, called the Open House restaurant, represents an operational shift for the chain as it evaluates new customer service models and menu offerings outside its traditional quick-service format.

Strategic Context

The Open House concept introduces service and product categories that diverge from the standard KFC operating blueprint. By incorporating table service, the brand moves closer to casual-dining mechanics while maintaining its core fried chicken identity. The inclusion of breakfast items also expands the restaurant's operating day-parts, a strategy frequently used by quick-service operators to drive traffic and increase asset utilization across morning hours.

Forward Outlook

Operators and retail allocators will be watching the Texas test site to see how the expanded menu and modified service model affect unit economics, labor requirements, and throughput speed. Future rollout decisions across the broader system will depend on how the concept performs during the initial testing phase.