The Handful of States Where KFC All-You-Can-Eat Buffets Still Operate
KFC has been frying chicken for generations, but there’s one thing that surprises people every time it’s mentioned: the chain has all-you-can-eat buffets. It was once a big deal across the country in the 1980s and 1990s, but most of these buffets have vanished. Fortunately, you can still find these in the South.
A Southern Tradition That Refuses To Quit
Buffets dominated the fast-food scene in the 1990s. Sizzler, Pizza Hut, and even Taco Bell jumped in on the idea of endless food for one price. KFC fit right in with its crispy chicken, mashed potatoes, and gravy.
By the late 1990s, however, diners were seeking healthier meals, and the buffet boom quickly faded. However, KFC’s Southern spirit wouldn’t let go entirely. Today, you can still find buffets in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
Where To Find Them (And What You’ll Get)
Some of these buffets operate daily, while others are only available on weekends. For example, the Madisonville, Tennessee buffet opens Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Prices usually range from $10 to $15, although some charge less if chicken is omitted. At Pell City, Alabama, the buffet costs $11.50, while Easley, South Carolina’s, is $14.17 and only open on Sundays. The KFC in Sparta, Tennessee, charges $8, but you’ll pay extra for the chicken.
Menus vary wildly. The Pell City buffet offers chicken livers and cobbler. Mount Vernon, Kentucky, serves canned fruit cocktail and stuffing. The Canadian spot in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, has Jell-O, pasta, peas, and nachos with cheese. No two locations are the same, which is part of what keeps fans searching for them. Bartlesville, Oklahoma, the westernmost buffet, serves its spread every day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Fans Keeping The Buffets Alive
Image via Wikimedia Commons/The Bangsawan
Since KFC doesn’t officially list buffet locations, fans have taken over the job. The KFC Buffet Aficionados Facebook group has over 12,000 members swapping photos, prices, and location updates. They’ve even built a crowdsourced Google Map to help travelers find one near them.
According to their latest updates, approximately 16 to 18 KFC buffets remain in the U.S., most of which are located in small towns in the South. For many fans, tracking them down is half the fun.
Former KFC employees and managers also join in to share memories from when buffets were everywhere. Some recall the 1980s menus featuring country-fried steak, bread pudding, and rice, items that have long since vanished from standard KFC restaurants.
Beyond America’s Borders
The buffet legacy stretches past the U.S. In Japan, KFC operates four buffets in major cities, each offering over 50 menu items. Diners can enjoy a variety of dishes, including fried chicken and biscuits, as well as curry, corn soup, and coffee jelly. The Weyburn, Saskatchewan buffet in Canada reopened in 2022 after closing during the pandemic.