KFC eyes 500 restaurants in India by 2015

---

NEW DELHI, Dec 18 (Economic Times): Putting behind violent protests against its entry in the mid-1990s, American restaurant chain Kentucky Fried Chicken, better known as KFC, has thrived on the growing fascination for fast food among the Indian middle class to chart a major expansion plan in the country through small-town penetration and innovative products. Like its other American peers like Dominoes, Pizza Hut and McDonalds, this Louisville, Kentucky-based chain has also started tweaking its classical chicken recipes and introducing new ones like fiery grilled chicken and vegetarian dishes to suit Indian food habits. KFC, which operates in 109 countries and claims to have more than 15,000 outlets around the world, expects to ramp up its restaurants in India to 500 by 2015, riding on eager and aspirational customers in its smaller cities.