KFC’s Affordable Freshly Ground Coffee Hits Beijing

KFC isn’t just about fried chicken anymore—at least not in Beijing. Starting January 2015, the fast-food giant rolled out freshly ground coffee in more than 300 locations across the city, all priced from just ¥10 a cup. That’s less than the price of many convenience store lattes, and it’s part of a broader push that already saw similar launches in Shanghai. But this isn’t a sudden move: KFC has been quietly refining its coffee offering for years.

The short answer? KFC’s freshly brewed coffee starts at ¥10 per cup in Beijing, with over 600 locations now serving it nationwide. After testing four coffee lines and running blind taste tests, customers consistently chose the freshly ground option for its flavor and value—proven by 2013 sales and survey data.

How KFC Built Its Coffee Offering

KFC first tested freshly ground coffee in select Shanghai and Beijing outlets as early as 2009. For years, the brand experimented with different beans, grinders, brewing methods, and even latte art designs. Between 2009 and 2013, it launched at least four separate coffee product lines. But the real turning point came in May 2013, when KFC conducted simultaneous real-world tests in comparable Beijing and Shanghai restaurants. Two series were offered: one with latte art designs, the other with classic freshly ground coffee. After consumer concept testing, blind taste tests, and actual sales tracking, the freshly ground series won clearly. Customers preferred its rich, smooth taste and better value.

What’s in KFC’s Freshly Ground Coffee?

The current freshly ground coffee uses 100% Arabica beans, ground on-site for each order. KFC controls grind size, water temperature, and brew time to highlight the beans’ natural flavors. The result is a cup that delivers a full-bodied, smooth taste—without the premium price tag. Most importantly, it’s all available from ¥10, making it highly competitive compared to other retail and café options.

Why Now? KFC’s Restaurant Redesign

KFC isn’t just selling coffee—it’s redesigning the experience. Since 2014, the chain has been rolling out “Dining Room” concept stores, moving away from traditional fast-food decor. These new locations feature custom artwork, pendant lighting, green plant dividers, and long counters to create a more relaxed, “coffeehouse-like” atmosphere. The idea is to offer a comfortable space where customers can enjoy a high-value coffee without the usual café markup. By the end of 2014, over 370 such redesigned outlets were operating, with all new locations adopting the concept and older ones being upgraded.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did KFC first start selling freshly ground coffee in China?

KFC began testing freshly ground coffee in some Shanghai and Beijing locations as early as 2009, experimenting with beans, equipment, and brewing techniques for several years before narrowing down its offering.

What kind of coffee does KFC serve now?

KFC currently serves 100% Arabica freshly ground coffee, brewed on-site with controlled grind size, water temperature, and extraction time to maximize flavor. The coffee is part of a product line that beat other concepts in blind taste tests.

How much does KFC coffee cost?

KFC’s freshly ground coffee is priced from ¥10 per cup. This pricing has been competitive since its 2013 rollout and remains one of the brand’s key selling points.

Where is KFC’s freshly ground coffee available?

As of early 2015, KFC offers freshly ground coffee in over 300 Beijing outlets and more than 600 locations nationwide. The brand plans to expand to at least 1,000 locations in 20 cities during 2015.

What was the testing process behind KFC’s coffee choice?

In May 2013, KFC ran parallel real-world tests in Beijing and Shanghai, offering both a latte art series and a freshly ground coffee series. After concept testing, blind taste tests, and sales analysis, the freshly ground coffee was preferred by consumers for its flavor and value.

What’s special about KFC’s new restaurant design?

KFC’s “Dining Room” concept, introduced since 2014, replaces traditional fast-food decor with custom art, warm lighting, greenery, and long counters to create a more relaxed, café-style environment suited for enjoying value coffee.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Value Coffee

For coffee lovers exploring value-driven brews like KFC’s freshly ground offering, try FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe from the Gedeb cooperative for bright citrus and floral notes, or Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1 (Typica) for a balanced, smooth cup with chocolate and almond tones. Both deliver quality typically found at higher prices. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.