Fast Food Chain Switches to Halal

The American fast food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken, KFC, has announced that 24 of its restaurants in France will switch to offering exclusively halal-certified chicken starting January 21.

The announcement comes after months of social media rumors that KFC France would switch entirely to halal, but according to the company, this is a targeted adaptation rather than a company-wide change. The 24 restaurants correspond to about six percent of the chain’s total 404 locations across the country.

In a statement given to several media outlets, KFC France explained the decision as a response to market trends, claiming that it aims to “follow the development of the market and meet a growing demand from a segment of consumers”.

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“At KFC France, we are committed to meeting the diversity of expectations of all our customers. Our ambition is to gather as many people as possible around our tables, with respect for everyone’s choices and diversity,” the statement continued.

The company also pointed out that in recent years it has introduced options for different dietary preferences, such as fish-based products and an expanded vegetarian range.

Muslim Areas

For the halal restaurants, KFC will work exclusively with certified suppliers to ensure that halal standards are met. Customers will be able to identify the specific restaurants through clear signage in the stores, on the official KFC website, and in the app.

KFC is not the first fast food chain to take such a step in France. Competitors such as Quick have offered exclusively halal menus at many restaurants since 2021, while Five Guys converted several of its French restaurants to halal only in recent months. Popeyes has followed a similar path at selected locations.

The changes often reflect demographic demand in areas with a significant Muslim population.