Comparative Analysis of Fast-Food Industry in China and the U.S under Covid-19 Pandemic -Taking KFC as an Example

Abstract

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been unprecedented impacts on both China's and the United States fast-food industries. Taking the example of KFC restaurants in China and the US, this article combines changes in the inflation index from the fourth quarter of 2019 to the fourth quarter of 2022, differences in the dining cultures and macro-level pandemic control policies between the two countries, as well as the variations in KFC's system sales in both markets. Through data and charts analysis, this study examines the effects of the pandemic on China's and the US fast-food industries, and the different influences of the aforementioned factors on their fast-food industries' recovery and development. The authors found that the US fast-food industry was less affected by the pandemic due to relatively loose monetary policy, stronger preference for fast food among the American people, and more passive and relaxed pandemic control measures. As a result, its post-impact recovery was better. The article also provides policy recommendations for promoting the further development of the fast-food industries in both two countries in the post-pandemic era.