Louisville's newest KFC offers a unique 'Next Generation' experience for customers

Caleb Stultz, Louisville Courier Journal
·2 min read
The "Next Gen" KFC store offers new features including a brightly lit red bucket pointing to an entrance just for pick up orders and dedicated parking spots for online orders.
The "Next Gen" KFC store offers new features including a brightly lit red bucket pointing to an entrance just for pick up orders and dedicated parking spots for online orders.

The colonel is going "digital forward" with Louisville's newest KFC restaurant.

The fast food chain's new location opened Monday and showcased a unique design, featuring what the company called a "modern take" on its famed red and white stripes and a bright light-up red bucket that directs customers to pick up their online and pick-up orders.

It's a different take than what customers at your average KFC are probably used to seeing.

The "Next Generation" KFC, as described in a press release from Louisville-based Yum Brands, incorporates new design elements developed to "serve today's consumers" and place more emphasis on fulfilling online, delivery and drive-thru orders, along with other elements like contactless payments and pickups.

Jack Harlow KFC: Now at KFC: The 'Jack Harlow Meal' from the star Louisville rapper

The new restaurant, now serving customers at 5603 Preston Highway, has just 30 seats in its dining room. It's one of just 10 KFC restaurants built around the "Next Generation" concept, which was developed in 2020, according to the release.

KFC touted the new restaurant's interesting elements as in line with what fast food customers expect in 2022. Customers can place online orders that will be delivered to them at specific parking spaces, for instance – think mobile order spots at your local Chick-fil-A – with a dedicated entrance for pick-up orders and delivery drivers, along with an integrated area for online orders to keep lines uncongested.

"We are excited to bring the first Next Gen KFC restaurant to Louisville," April Downing, a representative of KFC, said in the release. "We look forward to welcoming the community to our new restaurant."

KFC has a well-established local presence already. The new restaurant is the company's 23rd in Louisville.

For Courier Journal subscribers: Louisville teens see competitive summer jobs boom due to tight labor market

Correction: This story was updated to reflect 23 KFC restaurants are open in Louisville.

Contact Caleb Stultz at cstultz@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Caleb_Stultz.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KFC opens Next Generation restaurant to Louisville on Preston Highway