Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is a chain of fast food restaurants that specializes in fried chicken. It was founded in 1930 by Harland Sanders, who opened his first restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, United States. The company was acquired by Yum! Brands in 1986. As of April 2023, KFC has over 24,000 restaurants in over 135 countries. The company’s market capitalization is approximately $13 billion. 
As of the end of 2023, KFC’s ‘s patent portfolio is remarkable, boasting 128 active patent families globally. This portfolio also includes 24 patent families that are no longer active and 36 pending patent families.
These numbers highlight KFC’s significant role in the food industry, showcasing its vast array of inventions and innovations. With a substantial presence in various countries around the world, KFC’s demonstrates its widespread influence and commitment to advancing food technology on a global scale.
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This Pie Chart Shows the number of active, pending and dead patents.
KFC’s  have 128 active, 24 expired, and 36 pending patents families.
KFC’s patents are filed in numerous countries, reflecting its international presence and the strategic importance of protecting its inventions across the globe. The KFC‘s countries list 2023 includes major markets where KFC‘s operates and maintains its technological leadership.Â
IPC Classification | Category |
Setting anchoring-bolts  | (E21D20) |
Lining tunnels, galleries or other underground cavities, e.g. large underground chambers; Linings therefor; Making such linings in situ, e.g. by assembling  | (E21D11) |
Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs  | (E04B1) |
Tunnels; Galleries; Large underground chambers; Linings therefor  | (E21D9) |
Working measures on existing buildings  | (E04G23) |
Preparing in situ, conveying, or working-up building materials or building elements ; Other devices or measures for constructional work  | (E04G21) |
Dowels or other devices fastened in walls or the like by inserting them in holes made therein for that purpose  | (F16B13) |
Bulkheads, piles, or other structural elements specially adapted to foundation engineering  | (E02D5) |
Working stone or stone-like materials, e.g. brick, concrete, not provided for elsewhere; Machines, devices, tools therefor  | (B28D1) |
Excavations; Bordering of excavations; Making embankments  | (E02D17) |
KFC patents are diverse, covering a range of IPC classifications from Setting anchoring-bolts (E21D20) to Bordering of excavations (E02D17). KFC stats reveal that the company not only focuses on current food needs but also paves the way for future advancements.  Â
Feature | (E21D20) Well Logging | (E04B1) Buildings | (E21D9) Drilling Apparatus |
Focus of Innovation | Miniaturized sensors, data transmission | Sustainable and eco,friendly building materials, smart building technologies for automation and energy efficiency, 3D printing applications in construction | Automation and robotics in drilling, advanced drilling fluids and additives, directional drilling technologies |
Key Technological Advancements | Miniaturized sensors, data processing algorithms for formation evaluation, integration with machine learning for real,time analysis | Sustainable building materials, smart building automation systems, 3D printing applications in construction | Automation and robotics in drilling, advanced drilling fluids and additives, directional drilling technologies. |
Top Patent Filing Subcategories  | Miniaturized downhole sensor technology, machine learning for log data interpretation, advanced data transmission methods for wellbore communication. | Sustainable building materials, smart building automation systems, 3D printing applications in construction. | Automation and robotics in drilling, advanced drilling fluids and additives, directional drilling technologies. |
Impact on Industries | Oil and gas exploration and production | Construction, building materials, and smart homes | Oil and gas drilling, directional drilling service providers |
Projected Future Trends | Integration of AI and big data analytics for reservoir characterization, development of advanced logging tools for unconventional resources, exploration of new wellbore communication technologies | Focus on energy,efficient and sustainable building materials, increased adoption of digital twins and BIM (Building Information Modeling), advancements in prefabrication and modular construction | Continued automation of drilling operations, development of intelligent drilling systems for real,time optimization, exploration of robotics and advanced drilling techniques for harsh environments |
Comparing different aspects of KFC patents, such as Well Logging , Buildings and Drilling Apparatus, highlights the company’s foresight in areas like artificial intelligence and wireless technologies. These trends are indicative of where KFC inventions are steering the future of technology.  Â
The Chart below depicts the patents with most number of forward citations. These patents are likely to be the source of advancement in the domain and can be considered as valuable and core inventions.Â
In summary, KFC’s extensive patent portfolio demonstrates its commitment to innovation and its significant impact on the fast-food industry and beyond. Â
With a total of 188 patent families, and a substantial number active, KFC continues to leverage its intellectual property to safeguard and advance its technological footprint across various domains. This strategic approach not only underscores KFC’s role as a leader in culinary innovation but also showcases its readiness to adapt to future technological trends and market demands.Â
Note: This Data is extracted from 2013 to 2023 and on the basis of patent Families.
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