Japan is the country where eating KFC for Christmas is a massive, decades-old tradition, with millions of families ordering "party barrels" in advance. Starting in the 1970s, the "Kentucky for Christmas" campaign, often cited as being inspired by a foreign tourist craving, successfully positioned fried chicken as the go-to Christmas food.
In which country is it popular to eat a KFC festival meal for Christmas?
KFC: A Unique Christmas Tradition in Japan Did you know that KFC has become a beloved Christmas tradition in Japan? 🍗 This unique holiday meal choice stems from a clever advertisement in the 1970s, and it continues to be enjoyed by many to this day!
Which country celebrates Christmas Eve with a tradition of eating fried chicken from KFC?
Their traditional Christmas eve meal for many Japanese people is fried chicken, not just any chicken it has to be from the American fast-food chain KFC.
In Japan, the most wonderful time of year is marked with fried chicken — KFC, that is. Ordering KFC for Christmas began in Japan in the mid-1970s and has since become a Christmas Eve staple. Every year, an estimated 3.6 million Japanese families opt for meals from the fast-food chain for the holiday, according to BBC.
The chain's success in China can be attributed to its ability to adapt its menu to local tastes, offering items like rice bowls, congee, and hot pot alongside its classic fried chicken. China hosts approximately 10,000 KFC outlets as of 2024, making it the largest market for KFC outside the U.S.
Every December, 3.6 million families line up for fried chicken as part of a nationwide tradition that started back in the 1970s, all thanks to a clever idea from Takeshi Okawara, the manager of Japan's first KFC.
In which country is it a tradition to eat KFC for dinner?
Christmas is celebrated on December 25 across the globe, and while each country adds its own cultural flair to the holiday, Japan has a tradition that often surprises visitors: eating KFC.
This holiday tradition is one of the most surprising things about Christmas in Japan — every year, millions of people pre-order KFC Christmas buckets and they actually sell out. It's a mix of clever marketing, culture, and the way Japan reimagines Western holidays.
The turning point came in 1974, when KFC Japan launched a national campaign titled “Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii,” or “Kentucky for Christmas.” The campaign promoted a holiday Party Barrel that packaged fried chicken with sides, cake, and wine, selling it as a complete Western-style celebration for families.
The answer is simple: KFC in Japan is on its own level. Unlike in the States, KFC is considered the upper echelon of fast food dining in Japan, which translates to higher quality ingredients, better customer service, and unique menu offerings that can't be found anywhere else.
Okawara hoped a Christmas dinner of fried chicken could be a fine substitute, and so he began marketing his Party Barrel as a way to celebrate the holiday. In 1974, KFC took the marketing plan national, calling it Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii, or Kentucky for Christmas.
How much money does KFC make in Japan during Christmas?
The three-day Christmas period generates approximately ÂĄ6 billion in revenue: roughly 5% of annual sales concentrated in 72 hours. The numbers reveal the power of this ritual: KFC operates just 1,165 stores in Japan, yet ÂĄ6 billion comes from a few December days.
What is the most popular fast food in Japan during Christmas?
Japan Christmas in Japan revolves around fried chicken – with KFC experiencing its busiest time of the year. The tradition began in 1974 when the chicken brand created an advertising campaign called “Kentucky for Christmas” and it became popular.
KFC is best known for serving fried chicken to Americans by the bucketful, but it actually makes most of its money in China. And China is the most profitable market of KFC's parent company Yum Brands $YUM, which also includes Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Yum made 42% of its profit last year in China (pdf, pg.
