Healthy Food Gains Popularity in China as KFC Launches Low-Calorie Restaurant Chain

BEIJING, KOMPAS.com - Fast-food restaurants in China are increasingly competing to offer healthy, low-calorie menus as health-conscious lifestyles grow among young consumers. One of the most aggressive players in capturing this trend is KFC’s operator in China through its healthy restaurant chain KPRO. According to South China Morning Post on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, healthy or ‘lighter meals’ are growing in popularity in China, with an estimated 33 million consumers. This trend has prompted major restaurant chains to view healthy food as a promising new market. KPRO sells high-protein sandwiches and yoghurt smoothies, with calorie labels on each item to help consumers choose meals according to their needs. ‘The food is healthy, the calories are reasonable, yet it’s still filling and doesn’t leave you hungry,’ said Yum China CEO Joey Wat. Yum China spent seven years researching the healthy food market before opening its first KPRO outlet in Guangzhou at the end of 2024. Within a year, KPRO had expanded to 200 outlets by the end of 2025, all located alongside existing KFC restaurants. ‘Young consumers’ interest in balanced nutrition presents significant opportunities for international brands,’ said Chen Xiao. Research by NCBD and Shanghai Expo Finefood shows China’s healthy food consumers rose from 2 million in 2017 to over 32.5 million in 2025. Forty per cent of China’s healthy food consumers reportedly eat such meals at least three times a week. Chen estimated China’s healthy food market could generate annual sales of up to 100 billion yuan this year. Alongside KPRO, other healthy restaurant chains such as Murvey LF and Moosang are also expanding in China as urban residents adopt healthier lifestyles.