Kentucky Fried Chicken, commonly known as KFC, is a global leader in the fast-food industry, renowned for its signature fried chicken. Headquartered in the United States, KFC operates extensively across North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond. Founded in 1930 by Colonel Harland Sanders, the brand has achieved significant milestones, including the introduction of its iconic Original Recipe chicken, which features a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices. KFC's core offerings include fried chicken, sandwiches, and sides, all distinguished by their unique flavours and quality. The brand's commitment to using fresh ingredients and innovative cooking techniques has solidified its market position as a favourite among chicken lovers worldwide. With thousands of outlets globally, KFC continues to be a prominent player in the fast-food sector, consistently adapting to consumer preferences while maintaining its classic appeal.
How does Kfc's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Food Product Manufacturing industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Kfc's score of 56 is higher than 76% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, KFC's total carbon emissions amounted to approximately 34.1 billion kg CO2e, comprising 41,192,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1, 99,517,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2, and 33,959,598,000 kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions. The company has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 46% by 2030, compared to a 2019 baseline. Additionally, KFC is targeting a 50% reduction in food loss waste by 2030, in line with the U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions initiative. KFC's Scope 3 emissions, which represent the majority of its carbon footprint, include significant contributions from purchased goods and services, as well as franchise operations. The company has committed to reducing Scope 3 emissions by 46% per metric ton of beef, poultry, dairy, and packaging by 2030. These targets are part of a broader strategy to align with science-based targets, ensuring that their emissions reductions are consistent with the goals of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. KFC's climate commitments are part of Yum! Brands, Inc.'s overall sustainability strategy, with emissions data and targets cascading from the parent company. The company is actively working towards these goals to enhance its environmental performance and contribute to global climate action.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 35,429,620 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 153,093,820 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | 33,943,024,690 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 |
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Kfc has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.


Common questions about Kfc's sustainability data and climate commitments