# Modern Fast-Casual Concepts KFC Introduces Open House Prototype By Adam Harrie | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-06-22 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Open-House-prototype References: [entrepreneur](https://www.entrepreneur.com/buying-a-franchise/kfc-is-asking-what-would-the-colonel-build-today) & [global.kfc](https://global.kfc.com/media-assets)  [KFC](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saucy-by-kfc) unveiled its [Open](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/finin) House prototype, a new restaurant feature designed to reimagine the brand’s future through updated service, menu innovation and modern restaurant design. Developed under the leadership of KFC U.S. President Catherine Tan-Gillespie, the concept combines table service, drive-thru convenience and new menu offerings alongside the chain’s signature products, creating a testing ground for the next evolution of the brand. The first company-owned location is scheduled to open in McKinney, Texas, near [Yum](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yum-brands-digital) Brands’ Plano headquarters, with at least one franchise-operated site already planned. Open House will also serve as a platform for ongoing product experimentation, with more than 100 menu concepts currently in consumer testing and additional launches expected over the coming months. For customers, the prototype blends quick-service convenience with a more engaging dine-in experience, reflecting a broader trend of legacy restaurant chains refreshing formats, menus and environments to drive growth and relevance. Image Credit: KFC ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 8.6/10 - Popularity: 91% | Activity: 88% | Freshness: 78% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Retail](https://www.trendhunter.com/retail) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Hybrid Service Formats:** Blended models combining table service, drive-thru speed and fast-casual convenience create room for legacy chains to redefine customer expectations across multiple dining occasions. - **Prototype-driven Menu Testing:** Restaurant concepts built as live innovation labs enable faster validation of experimental products, limited-time offerings and localized menu ideas before wider rollout. - **Modernized Legacy Brands:** Established food chains are using refreshed interiors, expanded service models and new culinary platforms to stay relevant with consumers seeking both familiarity and upgraded experiences. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Quick-service Restaurants:** The sector is increasingly shaped by flexible formats that merge operational efficiency with more experiential dining environments and broader menu experimentation. - **Fast-casual Dining:** Competitive growth in this space reflects demand for restaurant experiences that balance convenience, perceived quality and adaptable service styles. - **Foodservice Franchising:** Franchise systems gain new differentiation potential from prototype locations that test design, technology and product innovations before scaling across operator networks. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [On-the-Go QSR Chicken Pies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kfc-handheld-pot-pie.md) - [Custom QSR Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kfc-tailor-made-couture.md) - [Fried Chicken Vending Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweet-tokyo-hot-crispy.md) - [Weekday Value Dining](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Weekday-value-dining.md) - [Modern Korean Fast-Casual Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/korean-fastcasual-concept.md) - [Sunday-Focused QSR Value Deals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sundays-by-kfc.md) - [Spice-Challenge Chicken Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/houston-tx-hot-chicken-1.md) - [Texture-Focused Wardrobe Treatments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-kfc-wardrobe.md) - [Kebab-Inspired Restaurant Totems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/restaurant-totem.md)