KFC, McDonald's expansion plans fuelling poultry demand in China
Fast food giants bet on fried chicken's appeal to urban consumers
5 June 2026
1 minute read
By: Franchise foodservice expansion is driving poultry consumption in China's Yangtze River Delta, according to a report by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.
The number of franchise stores across Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui reached 24,562 in 2024, growing at an average rate of 9–18% annually over the past decade. Fast-paced urban lifestyles are fuelling demand for convenient takeout and ready-to-eat poultry products, with fried chicken's crispy texture and versatile flavours aligning well with Chinese taste preferences.
Two leading American brands have announced ambitious expansion plans in China. McDonald's plans to open 1,000 new stores in the country in 2026, while KFC aims to reach a total of 17,000 stores by 2028.
White-feather broiler meat has seen particular growth alongside rapid urbanisation and the expansion of foodservice chains across the region.
