Have KFC Buffet Locations Been Totally Discontinued?

Once a beloved staple for hungry diners seeking an affordable and filling meal, a KFC buffet today is about as rare as finding a largely discontinued McDonald's PlayPlace. At the height of the KFC buffet's popularity before the turn of the millennium, folks could look forward to eating as much of the Colonel's proprietary chicken as they liked for a set price. But like, the PlayPlace, it isn't totally extinct. Some lucky people around the country can still enjoy KFC's buffet, but the venues are sparse.

As people started becoming more conscious about healthy eating habits during the 2000s, KFC began quietly eliminating buffets and focusing on stand-alone menu options. This move was accelerated after 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, as the cleanliness of buffets was put into question and staffing restaurants became problematic. However, from Oklahoma to North Carolina, a select few areas in the Southeastern United States reportedly still serve KFC buffet-style. 

As of publishing, Sparta, Tennessee, has you covered if a KFC buffet is calling your name, but in neighboring Arkansas, you have to settle for a six-piece chicken family meal. Meanwhile, South Carolina has four restaurants strewn throughout the state that offer the all-you-care-to-eat option. According to Facebook group KFC Buffet Aficionados, roughly 22 establishments still treat customers to the smorgasbord in America. Yet the generous meal has gained worldwide acclaim, and one country in particular has more locations that offer it than KFC's former home state of Kentucky (which currently has only one buffet spot).

Perhaps the strongest thing that can bring cultures together is food. Not unlike the way folks in the U.S. have embraced sushi and sashimi, three cities in Japan have adopted KFC's all-you-care-to-eat offering. In 2015, the city of Osaka debuted the first-ever KFC buffet in Japan, and two cities since (Tokyo and Nagoya) have jumped on board.

While there are many similarities to the restaurants in the U.S., Japan does include its own flair. Side dishes like soup curry and garlic rice reside on the buffet line alongside the Colonel's iconic coleslaw and buttery biscuits. The dessert options provide the greatest contrast between American and Japanese KFC buffets, hosting treats like jellies and fruit punch, a far cry from the cherry pie poppers you see in the States.

There are some indications that other KFCs around the world offer buffet-style dining, like Malaysia, but it is hard to confirm them all. KFC's website often doesn't specify whether an individual restaurant hosts the smorgasbord, even at locations where people on the ground have confirmed it exists. If dining at a KFC buffet before it becomes another discontinued chain restaurant meal is on your bucket list and you aren't planning a trip abroad anytime soon, consider visiting the Southeastern region of the United States to experience the sensation.