KFC South Africa opens high-tech, high-touch restaurant in Pinelands, Western Cape

20 July 2022; KFC South Africa, this month, launched a new and exciting restaurant that not only ensures a better customer experience – which sets the tone for the future of KFC’s offering to its customers – but is also ultra-modern and features some of the latest restaurant technology. Promising customers everything from the freshest ingredients to the freshest customer experience both in and out of the store!

“There is no doubt that the restaurant business as we know it has changed and as we move into a new era of customer experience, the approach to new restaurants needs to shift too - driven by a shift in preferences and expectations of what brands should be delivering today be it in food, design or experience,” says Thuthuka Nxumalo, Chief Operations Officer at KFC Africa.

The new KFC Pinelands store is designed in such a way that customer service is quicker, easier and seamless. In fact, in a first for KFC in Africa, this store features digital menu boards in each of the dual lane drive thru. It also boasts dedicated self-service kiosks for walk in customers, a dedicated window for delivery drivers, digital menu boards and the latest in connect kitchen technology which ensures the correct amount of stock at all times as well as better quality management – giving the consumer a guarantee of a great end product.

“The sum of this design puts the power of ordering and food fulfilment in the hands of the customer as well as gives employees an opportunity to focus on the back of house and getting food out quicker – this culminates in a superior customer experience,” says Nxumalo.

From an aesthetic and build perspective, the brand aimed to make the corner of the parking lot in which it’s built stand out as uniquely KFC, while being respectful to the existing build, which was done in close consultation with the local architects. The restaurant is designed to be fresh and striking in appearance with a strong contrast between the dark grey vs. the white with strong pops of red and the warmth of wood to create a striking, attractive restaurant which compliments its context while being ‘on-brand’. The KFC new corporate identity stands proudly defining the corner of the building.

“But, most importantly, this store has created yet another stream of employment for the local community, employing 25 team members and with the scope to employ at least another 5 imminently – all of which are employed from local township community Khayelitsha,” continues Nxumalo.

As KFC expands scope in the region, the brand will continue to ensure that there is ongoing commitment to the communities in which they operate through their Add Hope programme – which provides over 150 000 meals a month to children in need in the aim of combatting hunger in SA. The Cape is no different and through their beneficiary network in the region they are doing incredible work.

“We are delighted to be able to finally offer our Pinelands customers easy access to their favourite fried chicken. After years of looking for a site within Pinelands we feel we have found the perfect location that provides ease of access to customers as well as delivers on our ability to showcase modern franchising, while placing the community at the heart of the build and success,” concludes Nxumalo.