The Carlyle Group has completed the acquisition of KFC Korea and is preparing to scale the fried chicken chain’s presence across the country through an aggressive expansion plan.
The deal, executed through Carlyle Asia Partners, sees Carlyle acquire a 100% stake in KFC Korea from Orchestra Private Equity. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
KFC Korea operates under a master franchise agreement with Yum! Brands and runs more than 200 outlets nationwide. The brand first entered South Korea in 1984 and has since built a strong presence in the country’s quick-service restaurant market.
Following the acquisition, the company outlined plans to accelerate nationwide growth, with a focus on opening new stores, strengthening digital capabilities and ramping up marketing initiatives.
The expansion push comes on the back of strong financial performance. KFC Korea reported annual sales of 378 billion won (approximately $256 million), marking its second consecutive year of record revenue.
John Kim, Partner and Head of Carlyle Korea, said: “We are excited to further partner with Yum! Brands and work with the management team at KFC Korea to grow this iconic brand in South Korea.”
Tony Shin, CEO of KFC Korea, added: “This partnership with Carlyle marks an exciting milestone… we aim to further elevate the exceptional KFC experience that Korean customers have come to know and love.”
The acquisition strengthens Carlyle’s footprint in the quick-service restaurant sector across Asia. The firm already owns KFC Japan and has previously invested in multiple consumer and food platforms in the region.
The transaction reflects continued investor interest in franchise-driven restaurant businesses, with KFC Korea now positioned to accelerate store growth and deepen market penetration under Carlyle’s ownership.
