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 reported total greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 41,192,000 kg CO2e for Scope 1, about 99,517,000 kg CO2e for Scope 2 (market-based), and a staggering 33,959,598,000 kg CO2e for Scope 3 emissions. This reflects a significant reliance on indirect emissions, particularly from its supply chain and franchise operations. KFC's climate commitments include ambitious targets to reduce its absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 46% by 2030, using 2019 as the baseline year. This commitment is part of a broader initiative by its parent company, Yum! Brands, which also aims to cut Scope 3 emissions from franchises and purchased goods and services by the same percentage per restaurant and per metric ton of beef, poultry, dairy, and packaging. In addition to these targets, KFC is committed to reducing food loss waste by 50% by 2030, aligning with the U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions initiative. These efforts demonstrate KFC's proactive approach to addressing its carbon footprint and contributing to global climate goals.
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