KFC is coming to Norway for the first time. Estonian Apollo Group is buying the chicken chain Fly Chicken and will convert the restaurants to KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken). The first openings are expected in early 2027, and over 170 employees will have a new owner.
This Is the Deal
Apollo Group from Estonia announced the purchase of Fly Chicken on 27 July 2026. The deal brings the KFC brand to Norway for the first time.
Fly Chicken was founded in 2018 and is the largest dedicated chicken chain in the country. The chain has 19 restaurants, over 170 employees, and annual revenue of approximately 155 million kroner. The restaurants are located in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger, Lillestrøm, and Sandvika, among other places.
Most of them will be converted to KFC. Apollo Group will also look for new locations and plans to invest approximately 20 million euro – about 220 million kroner – over five years. The company currently operates 38 KFC restaurants in the Baltics and Finland. Founder Ronny Gjøse continues as chief executive. The deal still needs to go through normal formalities.
Where and When Will the First KFC Restaurant Open?
No address has been confirmed yet. Gjøse says the first openings will likely come in early 2027, and that major cities will be prioritized – especially Oslo, where the chain has the most restaurants. The company says it will announce locations and approximate opening dates as agreements are finalized.
Whether the chicken will be halal certified has not been disclosed.
What Does the KFC Expansion Mean for Job Seekers?
Hospitality is one of the most common entry points into Norwegian working life for newcomers, and a chain that will convert 19 restaurants and open more will need staff. If you are planning to apply, it helps to know the format: see how to write a Norwegian CV and application.
At the same time, this is an industry with many cases of low wages and unclear contracts. Arbeidstilsynet (the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority), which oversees working conditions, has announced approximately 800 inspections in accommodation and hospitality in 2026. It pays to know the rules before you sign.
What Is the Minimum Wage in Hospitality in 2026?
Norway has no general minimum wage in law. But hospitality is one of the sectors with an extended collective wage agreement: a minimum rate that applies to all employees, including those working for employers without collective agreements.
The rates for accommodation, hospitality, and catering businesses apply from 15 June 2025 and have not changed as of 7 August 2026:
- under 17 years: 142.58 kroner per hour
- 17 years: 152.08 kroner per hour
- 18 years: 166.34 kroner per hour
- over 20 years, or over 18 years after 4 months of practice: 204.79 kroner per hour
If you earn less than this, your wage is illegal – regardless of what is stated in the contract. Read more about minimum wage and extended collective agreements. On SamfunnPrep you will also find a guide to summer work, age, and tax cards, which applies to the youngest rates.
How to Check That You're Getting the Right Wage
- Demand a written employment contract. It must include, among other things, salary, percentage of position, and working hours – see what an employment contract must contain.
- Calculate your hourly wage yourself. Take the gross wage on your payslip divided by the number of hours you actually worked, and compare it with the rate for your age.
- Check that overtime and evening and weekend supplements are listed on your payslip. The minimum rate is a floor, not your entire wage.
- Speak up if the money doesn't come. You have tools to claim unpaid wages from your employer.
Rules about wages and working life are also part of the curriculum for the citizenship exam – you can practice for free on SamfunnPrep.
