KFC is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, one of the largest restaurant companies in the world. KFC had sales of $23 billion in 2013. KFC is incorporated under Delaware General Corporation Law, and has its headquarters at 1441 Gardiner Lane, Louisville, Kentucky, in a three-story colonial style building known colloquially as the "White House" due to its resemblance to the US president's home. The headquarters contain executive offices and the company's research and development facilities.

By December 2013, there were 18,875 KFC outlets in 118 countries and territories. There are 4,563 outlets in China, 4,491 in the United States and 9,821 across the rest of the world. Outlets are owned by franchisees or directly by the company. Eleven percent of outlets are company owned, with the rest operated by franchise holders. Although capital intensive, company ownership allows for faster expansion of the chain.

Most restaurants are furnished with images of the company founder, Colonel Harland Sanders. As well as dine-in and take-out, many stand-alone KFC outlets offer a drive-through option. KFC offers a limited delivery service in a small number of markets. Units include express concessions and kiosks which feature a limited menu and operate in non-traditional locations such as filling stations, convenience stores, stadia, theme parks and colleges, where a full scale outlet would not be practical. Average annual sales per unit was $1.2 million in 2013. Worldwide, the daily average number of food orders at an outlet is 250, with most occurring within a two-hour peak period.

As Chairman and CEO of Yum!, Greg Creed ultimately has foremost responsibility for KFC operations. Sam Su is chairman and CEO of Yum!'s Chinese operations and Tony Lowings is the president and CEO of KFC, replacing Roger Eaton who retired in 2018. David Gibbs is president, CFO and COO of Yum! Brands, Inc. On March 7, 2019, KFC announced a new executive position "Chief Communications Officer" and Staci Rawls will fill that position.

The company hopes to expand its African operations, where it is already the regional leader among US fast food chains. The company is slowly expanding across the African continent, opening 70 outlets, but progress has been hampered by sourcing issues, such as a lack of quality suppliers. The first three African countries in which KFC opened were South Africa in 1971, Egypt in 1973 and Mauritius in 1983. Mauritius has over 21 KFC outlets. Morocco has KFC outlets as well. Libya open first restaurant in 2021 without license in Tripoli.

KFC operates restaurants in several Asian countries.

In Sri Lanka, KFC was launched in 1995 at Majestic City. There were 62 KFC restaurants in Sri Lanka as of April 2024. It is currently operated by Cargills Ceylon PLC.

In Singapore, the first KFC franchise was opened in 1977 along Somerset Road. In 1993, KFC Singapore was the first KFC in Asia to develop and launch the Zinger. KFC restaurants in Singapore are currently owned and operated by KFC (Malaysia) Holdings Bhd.