Popular Cosplayer Enako Appointed 'One-Day Manager' at KFC's Next-Generation Model Store Sagamihara Onodai Opening Ceremony & New Product 'Churuly' Launch Event

Enako, as one-day manager, appears in a special KFC-themed costume! Tastes the 'churun' texture jelly drink 'Churuly'! KFC's next-generation model store in Sagamihara Onodai has a grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony!

On the day of the event, Enako appeared in a special KFC-themed costume and spoke about her attention to detail: 'I used red and white to create a cute look inspired by Kentucky. The wig's color is also inspired by the crispy coating of the chicken!' Subsequently, she was presented with a sash of original design from CEO Endo as proof of her 'one-day manager' status, and commented with a smile, 'The face (of Churuly) on it is so cute!' There was also a moment where Enako couldn't help but smile and say 'Cute!' upon seeing the actual 'Churuly.'

Next, as her first duty as 'one-day manager,' she tasted the new jelly drink 'Churuly.' Regarding 'Churuly (Blue Hawaii),' she reported on the 'churun' texture with a surprised look, 'The lemon jelly at the bottom comes into your mouth with a 'churun' feel, and the carbonation follows right after, it's incredibly delicious! The color is refreshing, and it tastes like youth.' For 'Churuly (Pink Cranberry),' she commented, 'The pink cranberry flavor is distinct, and it's a bit sweet and very tasty! The color is different from Blue Hawaii, so it would be cute to come with a friend and take pictures together. I thought it's perfect for the upcoming warm spring season,' promoting the product's new texture and cute appearance.

Towards the end of the event, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held by CEO Endo, Enako, the product development manager, and the store manager. It became a glamorous start celebrating the 'Sagamihara Onodai store,' which symbolizes a new KFC store experience, and attracted much attention during the photo session.

Afterward, 'Churuly' and 'Original Chicken' were served to invited local customers, and the event, filled with smiles from beginning to end, concluded successfully.

KFC's next-generation model store aims for a 6-fold increase in burger production capacity, challenging a new operation that balances productivity and customer experience

At the beginning of the presentation, CEO Endo took the stage to explain the concept and features of the Sagamihara Onodai store. The new store's concept is 'a store always bustling with people and connections, from the hall to the back office.' The site area is 280 square meters, about 1.5 to 2 times the size of a typical store, and the exterior and interior adopt a rounded, warm design that is not bound by the conventional KFC image. CEO Endo explained the design background, 'This design was inspired by what I saw in global stores and felt 'this is it,' and through collaboration with overseas designers, we arranged it to fit the Japanese customer experience.'

Also, to realize an 'everyday choice KFC,' this store is the first in Japan to introduce a double-lane drive-thru. Inside, four self-checkout counters have been installed, and by optimizing the flow from entering the store to ordering, receiving the product, and using the seating area, a comfortable environment that suppresses congestion and crossing has been achieved.

Furthermore, in the kitchen and operations, which CEO Endo said he 'was particular about,' the company is challenging the evolution to a style of 'making it after the order is placed' as much as possible, without relying on 'making it in advance.' CEO Endo emphasized, 'The idea of the new store model is to achieve both productivity and quality by repeating such challenges and trial and error, rather than simply increasing staff.' Burgers are expected to be produced at a rate theoretically six times higher than the conventional 60 per hour, and for fries, the packing area and warming system have been revised to focus on maintaining the 'freshly fried taste.'

In addition, this store will also serve as a 'test kitchen,' functioning as a base for intensively verifying new menus and new operations. It will respond to the needs of different time zones such as morning, lunch, snack, dinner, and late night, aiming to minimize opportunity loss. It will open earlier on weekends at 9 a.m., with an eye on future morning service expansion.

As part of its efforts to connect with the community, the store plans to start a full-scale activity of donating leftover, still-delicious cooked chicken to nearby children's cafeterias after closing time, starting from this summer.

CEO Endo concluded by powerfully declaring the departure of the new KFC, 'The new KFC will continue to make exciting announcements, so please look forward to them.'

Next-generation model store, Kentucky Fried Chicken Sagamihara Onodai, opens on Friday, April 3rd!

KFC Japan is steadily increasing sales per store and aims for a 1,700-store system by 2030. The Sagamihara Onodai store is born as a symbol of this.

Going beyond the conventional 'place to buy and take home,' it aims to be a 'place where you can spend time comfortably inside' and a place where local people can easily gather. It has introduced an interior with a new global design and a kitchen with the production capacity to offer various products.

This store will also conduct verification of various menus and operations ahead of the national rollout. Furthermore, the new product 'Churuly' will be pre-sold at this store, and the 'Kenta's Tori Tatsuta Burger,' which was popular last year, will be sold year-round, exclusively at this location nationwide.

New release of 'Churuly', a jelly drink with a 'churun' texture!

'Churuly' is a new-sensation drink perfect for snack time, for when you want a change of pace or to satisfy a small hunger. With its vivid coloring and cute visuals that make you want to take a picture, it's a cup that can be enjoyed from its appearance. It was created with the hope that the drink will encourage people to stop by KFC more casually.

The crushed lemon jelly in the lower layer is characterized by its elastic and unique 'churun' texture. Combined with the refreshing carbonation of each flavor's lemonade soda, we deliver a new drink experience that can be enjoyed not just for its taste, but also for its texture. The jelly, made with lemon juice and lemon peel, provides a refreshing accent within the sweetness of each flavor, allowing you to enjoy it to the end without getting tired of it.

The product name 'Churuly' was chosen to intuitively convey the 'churun' texture of the jelly. By using hiragana, it expresses the cuteness of the sound, ease of remembering, and friendliness. It is a naming that makes you want to pick it up, feeling a sense of familiarity.

**【Product Summary】** *Prices include tax.

- Product Name: - **'Churuly (Blue Hawaii)'** ... 440 yen - **'Churuly (Pink Cranberry)'** ... 440 yen

- Release Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2026 - *Pre-sale at KFC Sagamihara Onodai store from Friday, April 3, 2026. - *Limited quantity, sales will end once sold out.

- Sales Stores: KFC stores nationwide - *Some stores may not carry the product. - *Delivery menu items and prices may differ from in-store sales.