The nation's largest KFC franchisee plans to open a Jefferson City location as early as this summer.
Overland Park, Kansas-based KBP Foods owns 567 KFC restaurants in 21 states. The fast-food chain left Jefferson City in 2014, but the new franchisee said the chain always had strong sales at its former Jefferson City locations.
Anthony Gianino, KBP Foods director of marketing, said planning is still in the early stages. The company, which also owns KFC locations in Columbia, hopes to open the restaurant sometime this summer, Gianino said.
When Jefferson City's previous KFC location closed in 2014, the brand was in the midst of a slow decline, Gianino said.
"The truth is, the brand is on a comeback," he added.
KFC left Jefferson City in 2014 when then-franchise owner Brian McCarty re-branded the eatery at 1923 Christy Drive as JC's Chicken with similar fried-chicken fare. JC's Chicken closed in July 2015, and Burger King replaced it later that year.
Other former KFC locations in Jefferson City include 1920 Jefferson St., where Culver's Restaurant is located now, and 2201 Missouri Blvd., where Love Sushi is located now. Gianino said slow sales at other locations owned by previous franchise owners dragged down their Jefferson City stores as well and ultimately forced them to close.
"Jeff City franchises did pretty well," Gianino said. "As with other franchises, if your other stores aren't doing as well, that can hurt. But Jeff City is the type of market we're looking to open in."
The Jefferson City Historic Preservation Commission approved a plan Jan. 9 to demolish buildings at 1209 and 1211 Missouri Blvd. The dilapidated buildings formerly housed A-1 Auto Group Rent-to-Own and a cellphone repair shop.
KBP does not have a timetable yet for when construction could start.
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