Restaurants Development Company

About Restaurants Development Company

Restaurants Development Company (RD) is a key franchisee of the KFC brand within Thailand's quick-service restaurant (QSR) market. Headquartered in Bangkok, the company operates an extensive network of KFC outlets across the country, employing over 4,500 people.

The company was founded in 2016 after being appointed as a new franchisee by Yum! Brands Inc. The initial deal involved RD acquiring 130 existing KFC restaurants and committing to open 100 new locations by 2020. The venture was first established as a joint venture between Thai and Asian investors, with the ASEAN Industrial Growth Fund (AIGF) leading the management team.

Since its inception, RD has demonstrated significant growth, expanding its portfolio from just over 120 restaurants in 2016 to more than 280 by the end of 2023. This expansion has solidified its position as one of the main KFC operators in the nation. In recognition of its performance, RD was named "Best New Franchisee" at the 2018 Global KFC Franchise Convention.

A major corporate development occurred in late 2023 with the announcement that AIGF had sold RD to Devyani International Limited (DIL), India's largest franchisee of Yum! Brands, in a deal valued at approximately $128.9 million. The acquisition, completed through DIL's Dubai subsidiary, marked the Indian operator's strategic entry into the Thai market, positioning RD for a new phase of growth.

Under the leadership of CEO Andrew Norton, the company's business model focuses on operating modern restaurant formats that include dine-in, drive-thru, self-service kiosks, and dedicated access points for food delivery partners to cater to evolving consumer preferences in Thailand.