photo: Vít Hassan for PrahaIN.cz/New KFC on Wenceslas Square
REPORT: The fast food chain KFC made the Czech Republic remember the old days when the opening of a new fast food was a historic event. Kentucky chicken or McDonald’s was unknown to the Czechs in those days, so the arrival enjoyed great media interest. The same is now happening again in November 2024.
PrahaIN.cz already reported last week that KFC wants to open a new branch on Wenceslas Square. The first flagship restaurant of its kind, fast food representatives said.
Another KFC branch is located about 200 meters away. It was not known why another fast food restaurant was opening in these locations. A media embargo was imposed on all information. And that was until the presentation to journalists, which took place on Wednesday morning.
Like in the nineties
Our editors were surprised by the huge media interest right after their arrival. Even before the start of the whole event, there could be two dozen representatives of the media, including the public Czech Television.
The cameramen filmed the modern interior of the newest KFC on Wenceslas Square, which has two floors and is the largest fast food restaurant in the Czech Republic with an area of 766 square meters and 152 seats.
“Beautifully. Beautiful,” one of the journalists praised the interior of the new fast food. It is really modern and looks completely different from other branches. This is due to the flagship designation, which KFC on Wenceslas Square can be proud of as the only one in Europe.
“It’s a global concept. It is the first and only flagship in Europe. There are four in the world, one in Singapore and three in America. It’s worth a lot of effort,” explained KFC director for the Czech Republic Ivana Makalová Dlouhá. Some criteria are said to be necessary for this designation. In addition to the unique location, the design and various specifics for sustainability.
Makalová Dlouhá also presented a presentation on the history and present of the chain in the Czech Republic. By the way, the manager of the domestic KFC has an errand. Really. She handled the more than twenty-minute presentation with clarity, spoke in a written and natural manner without any reading. However, it is impossible to say that it would be something extra interesting. It was more like a presentation for investors or sponsors. The prompt response to journalists’ questions must be appreciated.
Backstage with a strict ban on photography
More interesting was the tour of the restaurant itself, including the backstage where the famous chickens are prepared. Our editorial was carried out by Milan Krátký, District Coach at AmRest. Even before entering the so-called staff room, where not only meat is stored, we had to put on protective clothing, including a hair net, due to strict hygiene principles. It suited us, but we didn’t really take selfies. However, we could not take pictures of anything from the background, it was prohibited here.
We started at the cooler where the chicken goes. “Fresh chilled meat comes to us four times a week directly from the supplier. The moment it arrives, we will store it immediately. Hygienic standards are very strict,” Krátký described.
From there we got to another room where the meat is marinated. The largest KFC in the Czech Republic will have two marinating machines. “An employee takes the meat and marinates it. It takes about ten to fifteen minutes.”
And we could also see with our own eyes the work that goes into making sandwiches. It all starts with wrapping the chicken in an atypical breadcrumb and then frying it in the kitchen. “The heart of the restaurant. This is where the most important thing comes into being. From the refrigerator, the marinated meat comes into the hands of the cook, who works on the wrapping table, which is divided into hot and non-hot. And then it goes into the fryer. We have open and pressure ones,” described Milan Krátký.
Only then does the final assembly of sandwiches or tortillas take place, this is called service, and the customer can actually partially see it with his own eyes while waiting for his food. Someone may have appeared directly at the source in the past and worked part-time in a similar chain. Who doesn’t can imagine it. It’s not easy and it’s quite hot here. And the idea that strangers (journalists) are watching you in the kitchen as you prepare, like in a museum, is certainly not pleasant either. “Everything here has its place. There are labels everywhere, mayonnaise is supposed to be here, ketchup is supposed to be here, so that employees don’t have to keep looking for something and waste time,” the KFC representative continued.
At the end, there was a feast. And no one will be surprised that it consisted of all kinds of American fast food dishes. Food disappeared at the speed of bullets. However, it increased even faster, and thanks to hungry journalists, the workers were simultaneously preparing for a sharp start of operations. It should happen on Thursday around lunchtime.
KFC’s Showbiz Return: A Taste of Nostalgia in Prague
Photo: Vít Hassan for PrahaIN.cz
New KFC on Wenceslas Square
Oh, how the tables turn! In a world where fast food was once as exotic as a Michelin-starred restaurant, KFC has landed on Wenceslas Square like a nostalgic time capsule from the ’90s. Yes, folks, there’s a buzz in the air and it smells like fried chicken! Can you smell it? I can just hear the cheers mixed with the aroma of calorie-laden ‘delights’ and boom – here comes the media frenzy!
Welcome Back to the Food Scene!
Remember when the arrival of a new fast food joint was a big deal? I’m talking red carpets and local news teams swarming like seagulls at a beach picnic. KFC’s €100 million – well, let’s not downplay that – *super-mega-hyper-flagship* restaurant is being treated like the second coming of Elvis… oh wait, isn’t he just fried chicken? Same thing, really!
Our dear friends at PrahaIN.cz reported that this isn’t just your usual bucket of chicken; it’s the largest KFC in the Czech Republic, flaunting 766 square meters of shiny new fries and secret recipes. And it has *drumroll please* 152 seats! Yes, I can already see the waiting times skyrocket as the media and romantics flock to partake in this culinary experience.
Media Circus or Culinary Delight?
What’s more incredible than the food itself? The media interest, of course! With reporters nearly leaping over each other like they were at a Black Friday sale, it seems KFC knows how to dish out the drama. Our editors waltzed in to a wave of cameras snapping away, already feeling like VIPs at some chicken-themed Oscars.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room – or should I say the double-decker bucket? There’s *another* KFC just down the road, merely 200 meters away. Two outlets in sight of each other? Someone call City Hall – I think we have a poultry coup going on!
Like the ‘Good Old Days’
We learned from the KFC director, Ivana Makalová Dlouhá, with a presentation that apparently would perk up any investor’s ears. They’re calling this flagship: the only one in Europe! Four others exist around the world; Singapore must be crying in envy while we indulge in our crispy chicken.
Now, I have to admit, the back end of KFC is like a glimpse into a foodie amusement park. When you think about hygiene standards, you might imagine a scene out of a modern-day “CSI: Fast Food”. But with strict rules requiring hairnets before you even see the ‘chicken magic’, you can’t help but admire the commitment!
Behind the Scenes: No Photos, Please!
As the staff proudly flaunt their protective clothing (humble costumes for chicken magicians), we got a backstage pass, complete with a tour where “no photos” signaled secret business! They had us dressed like we were about to perform surgery with all those strict hygiene standards.
And folks, let me tell you, watching raw chicken transformation is something! “Fresh chilled meat comes in every four days,” quipped Milan Krátký, District Coach at AmRest. The man should really consider a career in theatrical storytelling! After all, isn’t fast food simultaneously heartwarming and mildly terrifying?
The Folded Delight
After the time of our lives watching marinated chickens getting all dressed up, we finally arrived at the assembly line: “This is the heart of our restaurant,” declared Milan, with the kind of pride usually reserved for a new parent showing off pictures of their baby. And boy, it was as chaotic as you’d imagine. Who knew that the final assembly was like a dance-off between sandwiches and tortillas?
Final Feast: Fast Food Frenzy
To wrap up this delicious tour, we couldn’t escape the inevitable – a feast of glorious American fast food awaited us. Food disappeared faster than a magician’s rabbit, with hungry journalists going in for seconds, thirds, and, let’s be honest, fourths. The staff were already preparing for an all-out operation as the grand opening approached.
So, Wenceslas Square just got a bit more finger-licking good, and I can almost hear the whispers of nostalgia. KFC is back and ready to serve not just fried chicken, but memories wrapped in a crispy layer. Just remember, when that opening day rolls around, grab your bowl of popcorn and enjoy the show – the chicken’s just getting started!
photo: Vít Hassan for PrahaIN.cz/New KFC on Wenceslas Square
REPORT: The fast food chain KFC is creating a wave of nostalgia in the Czech Republic, reminiscent of the historic days when the opening of a new fast-food outlet captured significant attention. In the 1990s, brands like Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonald’s were unfamiliar to the locals, making their debut a momentous occasion. Fast forward to November 2024, and the excitement levels are soaring once more with the upcoming launch of a new KFC branch.
PrahaIN.cz previously reported on KFC’s intention to establish a flagship restaurant on the bustling Wenceslas Square, a strategic location that KFC representatives boast as a hallmark of their brand’s evolution.
There’s already another KFC branch located merely 200 meters away. However, the rationale behind launching an additional outlet so close remains a mystery for now, as a media embargo on all related information was enforced prior to an exclusive presentation for journalists held on Wednesday morning.
Like in the nineties
Our editorial team was taken aback by the overwhelming media interest as soon as they arrived at the event. Before the proceedings even commenced, around two dozen media representatives, including journalists from public Czech Television, had already gathered in anticipation.
The modern interior of the latest KFC on Wenceslas Square was a focus for the visiting cameramen, featuring two spacious floors, making it the largest fast-food restaurant in the Czech Republic. With a sprawling area of 766 square meters and seating for 152 customers, the venue showcases a refreshing design.
“Beautifully. Beautiful,” one journalist remarked admiringly at the intricate details of the new fast-food establishment. Its design is markedly different from other branches, reflecting its flagship status, which KFC on Wenceslas Square proudly holds as the only one of its kind in Europe.
“It’s a global concept. It is the first and only flagship in Europe. There are four in the world, one in Singapore and three in America. It’s worth a lot of effort,” explained KFC director for the Czech Republic, Ivana Makalová Dlouhá. She emphasized that specific criteria must be met to achieve this designation, including a unique location, innovative design, and certain sustainability measures.
Makalová Dlouhá also delivered a presentation detailing the history and current state of the KFC chain in the Czech Republic. While the presentation lasted over twenty minutes and was delivered with clarity, it lacked exciting content, resembling more of a formal briefing for investors. Nevertheless, her prompt handling of journalists’ inquiries was noteworthy.
Backstage with a strict ban on photography
A tour of the restaurant and its behind-the-scenes operations, especially where the iconic chicken dishes are prepared, proved far more engaging. Milan Krátký, District Coach at AmRest, guided our editorial team through the experience. Prior to entering the staff room, where meat is stored, we donned protective clothing, including hair nets, adhering to stringent hygiene protocols.
We began our tour at the cooler, where the chicken is received. “Fresh chilled meat arrives four times a week directly from the supplier. The moment it comes in, we store it immediately. Our hygienic standards are very strict,” Krátký explained.
From there, we moved to the marination area, which boasts two marinating machines in the largest KFC in the Czech Republic. “An employee dips the meat into the marinade, a process that takes about ten to fifteen minutes.”
The preparation of sandwiches was another highlight, beginning with the distinct breadcrumb coating before frying. “This is the heart of the restaurant. Here, the essential magic happens. Marinated chicken transitions from the refrigerator to the cook’s hands at the wrapping station, which is divided into hot and non-hot sections. Then it enters the fryer—both open and pressure types,” Krátký detailed.
Finally, we witnessed the assembly of sandwiches and tortillas, a process referred to as ‘service,’ which customers can partially observe while they wait for their food. Working in such a hot environment can be challenging, especially with the added pressure of journalists observing kitchen activities, much like a museum exhibit. “Everything here has its designated spot. Labels are placed everywhere. Mayonnaise goes here, ketchup goes there, to eliminate any unnecessary searching and ensure efficiency,” Krátký reiterated.
The tour culminated in a feast featuring a variety of delectable American fast-food offerings. To no one’s surprise, the food vanished quickly as hungry journalists devoured the dishes. The KFC staff worked swiftly to ensure everything was prepared for the grand opening scheduled for Thursday around lunchtime.
What are the key procedures involved in preparing KFC’s signature chicken dishes?
Ocedures. It felt like we were about to take part in an episode of a culinary reality show, complete with all the dramatics of a big reveal.
As we entered the preparation area, the air was thick with anticipation and the unmistakable aroma of seasoned chicken. Milan enthusiastically described the operations: “Fresh chilled meat arrives every four days!” His presentation was lively, making the behind-the-scenes peek feel less like a corporate tour and more like a lively culinary performance.
The heart of the restaurant, as Milan pointed out, was the assembly line where the culinary magic happens. Watching the chicken transform into crispy, irresistible meals was nothing short of mesmerizing. It was a blend of chaos and precision, a dance of efficiency that felt like a beautiful ballet amidst the hustle and bustle of fast food service.
With the grand opening drawing near, the excitement was palpable. Media coverage was extensive, not just for the food but for the nostalgic significance of KFC returning to Wenceslas Square. Everyone remembers their first taste of that golden, crispy chicken, the salty fries, and the iconic coleslaw.
As I sat down to sample the spread, I couldn’t help but reminisce about my own experiences with KFC growing up. It truly felt like a delightful throwback, relishing the familiar tastes that have woven themselves into the fabric of our collective food memories.
So as KFC prepares to officially open its doors on Thursday, it’s not merely a fast-food launch; it’s a revival of a cherished past, a celebration of comfort food that many have loved for decades. The bustling streets of Prague are set to welcome back this iconic brand, and I’m sure there will be no shortage of eager customers lining up to create new memories while reliving the old.
KFC is here to stay, not just with fried chicken but as a reminder of those simpler times when a new food franchise felt like a monumental event. So, whether you’re a fan of their crispy chicken or simply nostalgic for the past, Wenceslas Square is the place to be. Get ready for a taste adventure that will have you saying, “It’s finger-lickin’ good!” all over again!