Contactless payments like Apple Pay speed up purchases by allowing consumers to instantly “tap & go” with their mobile devices. And for busy chains like KFC focused on convenience, accepting these technologies is practically a necessity these days.
As a retail analyst and self-proclaimed “payments nerd”, I decided to put Apple Pay to the test across a variety of real-world KFC experiences – counter ordering, drive-thru, mobile app food delivery, and more.
Here’s what picky shoppers like me need to know about using Apple Pay seamlessly when craving the Colonel’s secret recipe.
Overview: Apple Pay Adoption at KFC Locations
After extensive personal testing combined with industry research, I’m pleased to report that Apple Pay is widely supported across KFC. The global fried chicken chain began accepting contactless payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay system-wide in 2020 – and it’s only continued expanding support since.
As of 2023, over 92% of all corporate and franchised KFC locations in the U.S. accommodate Apple Pay transactions, according to the company’s latest annual earnings report. The main outliers are some rural franchise shops that have not upgraded terminal hardware yet capable of contactless tech. But in most suburbs and cities – where the majority of stores are located – tapping an iPhone or Apple Watch to pay is fair game.
To quantify adoption even further, a 2022 survey from payments processing company ACI Worldwide found that 78% of major quick-service restaurant chains offer Apple Pay in the drive-thru. As the #1 player in chicken specifically, you can count on KFC matching or exceeding general QSR category benchmarks.
Now that we’ve established Apple Pay’s strong presence across the board at KFC, let’s get more detailed on usage…
Using Apple Pay Effortlessly at KFC Drive-Thrus
In my experience, going through the KFC drive-thru may be the single easiest way to see Apple Pay in action. Drive-thru payments prioritize speed, making contactless a natural fit.
Nearly all KFC drive-thrus I’ve visited around Southern California have payment terminals equipped for tap-and-go transactions on both sides of the window.
The process itself takes seconds:
- Place your usual order by speaking into the drive-thru menu speaker
- Pull forward to the first payment window when instructed
- On your iPhone, quickly double-tap the lock button on the right side – this instantly brings up your default Apple Pay card
- Before the employee can even give a total, hover your phone a few inches over the square contactless reader on the terminal
- The subtle Apple Pay animation lights up on screen and you’ll hear a reassuring beep
- Just like that – payment confirmed without inserting or even tapping a card
For a seamless and sanitary transaction where your phone never leaves your hand, it doesn‘t get much smoother.
And when there‘s a long wait at the drive-thru – a common occurrence at popular KFC spots – Apple Pay prevents having to awkwardly juggle your card and wallet to pay through an often greasy or dirty car window.
Step-By-Step Instructions: How To Pay In-Store With Your iPhone
Beyond the drive-thru, you can tap to pay with Apple Pay across all KFC brick-and-mortar locations, whether ordering at the front counter or self-service kiosk.
Below I’ll walk through the exact steps I take to check out using my iPhone 14 Pro at the store:
1. Configure Apple Pay First
- Open the Wallet app and select the "+" to add your Visa/MC/Amex credit or debit card to Apple Pay
- Follow the prompts verifying your card details and agreeing to Apple‘s terms
- Receive confirmation from your bank that the card is successfully activated
This one-time setup process takes just a minute or two!
2. Order Food As Usual at KFC
- Stand in line and scope out the menu boards and combo posters
- When it‘s your turn, place an order customized to your preferences
- No need to grab your physical wallet yet
3. Pay With Your iPhone
- After you‘re given a total, double click the power button located on the right side of your iPhone
- This instantly brings up your default Apple Pay card in Wallet
- Hold the top 1/3 section of your phone about an inch from the rectangular contactless terminal
- Don‘t remove your card or wallet!
- You‘ll feel a subtle vibration and hear a beep once it‘s paid
And that‘s it! The cashier will hand you the receipt – no need to sign or enter a PIN either. It‘s the ultimate grab ‘n go experience for your fried chicken run.
Now that we‘ve covered the basics, here are some pro tips for seamless payments:
- Activate Apple Pay ASAP when receiving a new iPhone to have it ready immediately
- Add multiple rewards credit cards to choose your preferred perks on the fly
- Double check the last 4 digits shown in Wallet match your intended payment card
- For security, require Face ID authentication before each transaction
And touch-free goes beyond just plastic replacement at the cash register. Keep reading to see how Apple Pay can also drive rewards accumulation and easier reorder convenience through the KFC app…
Setting Up Apple Pay on Your Apple Watch
Don‘t have your iPhone? No worries – your Apple Watch works the same to tap and pay at KFC with some quick setup:
To add Apple Pay to Apple Watch:
- On your iPhone, go to the My Watch tab and enable Wallet
- Enter your card details when prompted
- Verify with your bank
- At KFC, double click the Watch‘s side button to pay
- Hold the face a few inches from the terminal
- Authenticate with your passcode
Now your credit and rewards cards are literally attached to your wrist for tap-happy convenience.
I prefer using my Watch over pulling out my iPhone since it‘s always front and center. Especially with juggling drinks and my rapid box combo order, scanning my Watch feels like the frictionless future.
The only downside is occasionally getting grease from my Bucket Meal on the nice watch band!
Ordering KFC Delivery With Apple Pay
Beyond brick-and-mortar, mobile ordering for pickup, delivery, or drive-thru is an increasingly popular way to fulfill my fried chicken cravings.
The KFC app and website make ordering ahead a cinch – and Apple Pay streamlines payments even further.
Here‘s how I rapidly order and pay my usual via the KFC app, hardly typing a thing thanks to mobile wallet integration:
1. Launch the KFC App
Pull up your account or order as a guest
2. Select Items & Customize
I stick with my tried and true 3-piece tenders, mashed potatoes + gravy and a lemonade
3. Head to Checkout
Review order details, double check quantity & cost
4. Select Delivery Method
I‘m feeling lazy – delivery it is!
5. Choose Apple Pay
My card pops up instantly via Face ID for one-touch checkout
6. Pay & Enjoy!
I receive confirmation my order (and payment) has been placed successfully
No digging around for cards or cash when Apple Pay has you covered via KFC‘s streamlined app. It turns even a custom comfort food order into a few effortless taps.
And based on a PYMNTS 2021 survey of quick-service restaurants, offering mobile order-ahead with Apple Pay increased average basket sizes by 22%. More revenue while providing convenience – win-win for KFC.
Apple Pay Security Benefits for KFC Customers
With payment fraud still impacting millions annually, I know picky shoppers like myself feel hesitation about retail security. Especially at traditional merchants without advanced checkout capabilities that Ecommerce provides.
So how does Apple Pay stack up safety-wise for busy chains like KFC?
In my professional opinion as a payments analyst, Apple Pay transactions are actually MORE secure than physical cards in many ways:
- Unique dynamic security codes – no card number transmitted
- Tokenization hides true card details
- Enhanced privacy provisions
- Biometric authentication requires fingerprint/face/passcode
- Backwards compatible yet uses latest standards
Essentially, Apple clones your card into an encrypted digital version that‘s utterly useless if stolen. This "token" mimics your card for transaction purposes but has no tying details for fraudsters to steal.
And according to an MIT Technology Review report, mobile contactless transactions see 80% less fraud rates on average compared to traditional EMV chip cards.
KFC also cannot actually view or store your Apple Pay data at any point. Payment credentials are stored locally in your device‘s secure enclave – not by the restaurant. This separation provides an added level of privacy.
So based on leading security research and frameworks, yes – Apple Pay is extremely safe to use at KFC:
- Rigorously vetted by the card networks
- Backed by bank-level monitoring capabilities
- Requires merchant EMV compliance
As consumer payments continuously shift digital, partnering with mobile wallet providers like Apple Pay is allowing brands to retain trust by offering customers truly cutting-edge checkout experiences, safely and conveniently.
And based on Apple Pay‘s rocketing US adoption – set to be used in 30% of all face-to-face transactions by 2025 – KFC seems well ahead of the curve by diving in early.
The Future is Contactless
Like many fast food chains strengthening mobile ordering channels after COVID, KFC continues finding ways to accelerate convenience without sacrificing security – a delicate balance in retail.
Accepting tap-happy payment platforms like Apple Pay across channels helps strike that balance for customer-obsessed brands.
And based on soaring use of mobile wallets industry-wide, we seem to just be scratching the surface of embedded payment tech in everyday retail scenarios.
In the future, I predict loyalty rewards, AI recommendations, and personalized discounts will all integrate directly with your Apple Pay profile as retailers get more creative – and the Colonel will surely be on the digital innovation frontlines!
So as more shoppers increasingly expect mobile checkout flexibility from desktop to drive-thru, Apple Pay at KFC paves the way for omnichannel speed and security.
As an avowed convenience geek and payments nerd, I for one welcome more Apple Pay availability allowing me to eat more fried chicken faster!
What about you – have you tried tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch to pay at KFC yet? I‘d love to hear your experiences down below!