KFC, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM – News) and the leading quick-service restaurant chain in China, announced the debut of the country’s first drive-thru restaurant. The drive-thru restaurant is located in the Asian Olympics Village district of Beijing.

“KFC is capitalizing on China’s increasing mobility, fast-paced lifestyle, greater consumer spending power and desire for luxury items such as automobiles,” said J. Samuel Su, president of Yum! Brands International Greater China.

“KFC was the first to introduce western-style food to China and today opens the country’s first drive-thru restaurant,” said Su.

KFC leads the way as China’s largest, oldest and most popular quick-service restaurant chain with locations in approximately 150 cities. KFC plans to open its 700th restaurant in mid-September 2002. The company opened its first restaurant in Beijing in 1987 and today has more than 80 restaurants in that city alone.

“KFC is expanding its leadership presence in China at an unprecedented pace,” said Su. “Our strong infrastructure and established processes and resources enable us to aggressively grow the brand.”