KFC, Marietta, Georgia
A local landmark, which also happens to be one of KFC's most iconic locations, has reopened after a $2.2 million renovation.
KFC's "Big Chicken" restaurant, which features a 56-ft. steel chicken complete with a moving beak and rolling eyes, was constructed in the 1960s and became a local landmark and tourist attraction. It has been updated with a more contemporary aesthetic as part of KFC’s initiative to remodel approximately 70% of its U.S. restaurants to its "American Showman" design as part of the brand’s turnaround strategy.
The new design, which speaks to KFC's heritage and pays tribute to its founder, features such branded touches as bold and red exterior stripes, lighting fixtures styled to resemble chicken buckets, and touches of Colonel Sanders throughout. Owing to the unique location, nearly every element of the design was customized specifically for the Big Chicken.
"Our goal for this remodel was to uphold and maintain the integrity of the Big Chicken, while preserving it for future generations to enjoy, ” said Mike Kulp, president and CEO, KBP Foods, a KFC franchise and owner of the Big Chicken. KFC and KBP Foods partnered with FRCH Design Worldwide and Wieden+Kennedy to create the design concept for the location.
The restaurant is the first KFC in the United States designed to offer patrons a real-time view into the kitchen. The dining space has been expanded, and enhanced with murals painted by local artists. Two new patios, including a screened-in back porch, have been added. In addition, the space features a retail store that sells one-of-kind merchandise.
"The completion of the Big Chicken marks another major milestone in our KFC U.S. turnaround,” said Kevin Hochman, president and chief concept officer for KFC U.S. “We recently completed our 11th consecutive quarter of same store sales growth and more than 400 restaurants across the country have been remodeled, while hundreds more are currently in the planning and design phase."
KFC's "Big Chicken" restaurant, which features a 56-ft. steel chicken complete with a moving beak and rolling eyes, was constructed in the 1960s and became a local landmark and tourist attraction. It has been updated with a more contemporary aesthetic as part of KFC’s initiative to remodel approximately 70% of its U.S. restaurants to its "American Showman" design as part of the brand’s turnaround strategy.
The new design, which speaks to KFC's heritage and pays tribute to its founder, features such branded touches as bold and red exterior stripes, lighting fixtures styled to resemble chicken buckets, and touches of Colonel Sanders throughout. Owing to the unique location, nearly every element of the design was customized specifically for the Big Chicken.
"Our goal for this remodel was to uphold and maintain the integrity of the Big Chicken, while preserving it for future generations to enjoy, ” said Mike Kulp, president and CEO, KBP Foods, a KFC franchise and owner of the Big Chicken. KFC and KBP Foods partnered with FRCH Design Worldwide and Wieden+Kennedy to create the design concept for the location.
The restaurant is the first KFC in the United States designed to offer patrons a real-time view into the kitchen. The dining space has been expanded, and enhanced with murals painted by local artists. Two new patios, including a screened-in back porch, have been added. In addition, the space features a retail store that sells one-of-kind merchandise.
"The completion of the Big Chicken marks another major milestone in our KFC U.S. turnaround,” said Kevin Hochman, president and chief concept officer for KFC U.S. “We recently completed our 11th consecutive quarter of same store sales growth and more than 400 restaurants across the country have been remodeled, while hundreds more are currently in the planning and design phase."