In the 1980s, KFC made their first attempt to enter Israel, however it failed and did not last long.[1]
On 13 October 1993, KFC announced their intention of reopening in Israel. Their first location would open two weeks later in Rishon LeZion.[2]
KFC in Israel was originally franchised by Clal Trading Limited, who also held the Pizza Hut Israel franchise.[3]
In 2002, Dor Energy purchased the rights to the KFC Israel franchises and elected to close 4 of the chains 6 locations,[4] however they began expanding again and by 2009 they had 10 locations.[5] By 2012 all locations had closed.[6]
During the summer 2018, KFC announced interest in reopening franchises in Israel, and sent a delegation to meet with potential franchisees,[7] stating that they have strong confidence in the Israeli market,[8] especially the Anglo community.[9] This would mark KFC's fourth attempt at entering the Israeli market.[10] KFC announced their hopes at opening 100 branches in Israel.[11] In February 2019, KFC began hiring for their re-opening in Israel.[12] The first branch was opened one year later in the city of Nazareth on 3 February 2020.
Kashrut
In 2009 KFC Israel received permission, after two years of requesting, to replace their milk-based coating with a soy-based coating.[5] By making this substitution KFC was able to make their locations in Israel kosher, even though the kosher branches already had non-dairy coating. Two out of the eight locations at the time were already kosher locations; however, the soy coating was utilized at all locations.[13] KFC Israel stated at the time that the new coating tasted identical to the old one;[14] however, the former owner later claimed that becoming kosher had been the main reason for the chain's failure.[15]
