KFC's New Restaurant Has A Lot More Than Fried Chicken

KFC is opening a brand new restaurant in McKinney, Texas, on September 26, 2026 — but this location will not be your typical fast food place. KFC has marked it for a higher purpose, which is to serve as a testing ground for new menu items, innovations, technology, and more.

The new restaurant, dubbed Open House, spans over 3,000 square feet. It will reportedly be open from six in the morning to midnight, which instantly points to the very first menu novelty KFC fans will encounter there: The breakfast menu, primarily centered around breakfast sandwiches, cronuts, and coffee. The chain's main menu is receiving an upgrade, too. There are some completely new items, like the Spicy Pickles and the Fried Green Beans, as well as a fresh spin on the chain's classics — such as the Crispy Original Recipe Tenders. Open House is even bringing back some discontinued KFC items that deserve a revival, such as the Twister wraps.

Fans will also be excited to see an expanded beverage menu, with items like boba refreshers and a larger lineup of sauces that includes new flavors like Jalapeño Ranch, Garlic Parmesan, and Sweet Heat Ranch. The sauces aren't just for dipping anymore, though; the chicken can be ordered coated in the sauce of choice. But despite the updates, KFC's Original Recipe Chicken is set to remain the star of the menu, so the diners in McKinney will still be able to enjoy the classic chicken buckets.

KFC is, undoubtedly, among the most influential restaurant chains of all time, but it's no secret that its sales have been declining for a while. In 2025, a strategic comeback plan was put into action, which sought to bring KFC back to its former glory — and clearly, the new Open House is a big part of that plan. Before menu changes are made nationwide and new items introduced to a wider customer base, novelties will be tested at the Open House, enabling diners to directly share their feedback. Given that customers dubbed the famous fried chicken chain as "school cafeteria" quality not too long ago, KFC is in dire need of systematically testing what's working and what's not.

On one hand, this might mean that some menu items will live and die only at the Open House location. On the other hand, KFC could soon get a noticeable revamp nationwide. The company has already implemented many big changes in 2026, especially when it comes to its value meals, but the Open House location is testing far more than just new menu concepts — it's also leaning into technology, all while trying to introduce a more personalized in-store service. So, if you want to be among the very first to see what KFC is actively developing, the Open House restaurant in McKinney, Texas, is the place to go.