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  4. A KFC franchisee turned a former bank in rural New York into 'the most beautiful KFC in the world' — see what it looks like inside

A KFC franchisee turned a former bank in rural New York into 'the most beautiful KFC in the world' see what it looks like inside

Mary Meisenzahl   

A KFC franchisee turned a former bank in rural New York into 'the most beautiful KFC in the world' — see what it looks like inside
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
  • I visited a one-of-a-kind KFC restaurant in Painted Post, New York.
  • The converted bank has floor-to-ceiling windows.

On May 3, KFC opened one of the most impressive restaurants in its 25,000-location portfolio in Painted Post, New York.

On May 3, KFC opened one of the most impressive restaurants in its 25,000-location portfolio in Painted Post, New York.
Mary Meisenzahl Insider

KFC repurposed the Chemung Canal Trust Company bank building into the "Crystal Bucket," named for its large windows.

KFC repurposed the Chemung Canal Trust Company bank building into the "Crystal Bucket," named for its large windows.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The name and floor-to-ceiling windows are an homage to next-door neighbor Corning's reputation as "The Crystal City," for glass company Corning Incorporated and the Corning Museum of Glass.

The name and floor-to-ceiling windows are an homage to next-door neighbor Corning
Mary Meisenzahl Insider

"Distinctive and original, just like the iconic bucket, this new KFC features a unique design fitting for a region known for innovation," VP of marketing activation for KBP Brands Tonya Mangels said in a statement.

"Distinctive and original, just like the iconic bucket, this new KFC features a unique design fitting for a region known for innovation," VP of marketing activation for KBP Brands Tonya Mangels said in a statement.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Aside from the main atrium, everything about the building had to be repurposed to accommodate a fast food restaurant.

Aside from the main atrium, everything about the building had to be repurposed to accommodate a fast food restaurant.
Mary Meisenzahl Insider

The whole building had to be stripped from its days as a bank to be turned into a restaurant.

The whole building had to be stripped from its days as a bank to be turned into a restaurant.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

About 70% of KFC's US sales are through drive-thrus, so developer KBP included an updated drive-thru in the new design.

About 70% of KFC
Mary Meisenzahl Insider

Though it's not a double drive-thru, it's clearly updated with clean lines and wood accents.

Though it
Mary Meisenzahl Insider

The drive-thru is more than just functional.

The drive-thru is more than just functional.
Mary Meisenzahl Insider

It also shows off the "American Showman" update that's been rolled out in other KFC locations, both new and retrofitted.

It also shows off the "American Showman" update that
Mary Meisenzahl Insider

The design is intended to "celebrate the legacy of Colonel Sanders while also bringing his down-home values and showmanship to life," designers at Nelson said of the American Showman branding.

The design is intended to "celebrate the legacy of Colonel Sanders while also bringing his down-home values and showmanship to life," designers at Nelson said of the American Showman branding.
Mary Meisenzahl Insider

Over two-thirds of KFC's restaurants are now decorated in this style.

Over two-thirds of KFC
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The contrasting red, white, and black are eye-catching from the street...

The contrasting red, white, and black are eye-catching from the street...
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

...though of course not as eye-catching as the massive windows.

...though of course not as eye-catching as the massive windows.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The sign felt very classic KFC though, with a drawing of Colonel Sanders.

The sign felt very classic KFC though, with a drawing of Colonel Sanders.
Mary Meisenzahl Insider

Every sign and piece of the exterior is a way to hammer home the KFC brand, which is all about tasty chicken.

Every sign and piece of the exterior is a way to hammer home the KFC brand, which is all about tasty chicken.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The windows are stunning, and also provide ample real estate for photos of fried chicken to lure customers inside.

The windows are stunning, and also provide ample real estate for photos of fried chicken to lure customers inside.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I especially liked the tiny details outside, like this painted KFC rock.

I especially liked the tiny details outside, like this painted KFC rock.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I finally went inside, curious to see how the bank interior had been transformed.

I finally went inside, curious to see how the bank interior had been transformed.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The design was very busy, with signs posted in every possible space.

The design was very busy, with signs posted in every possible space.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Colonel Sanders was everywhere.

Colonel Sanders was everywhere.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There was absolutely no danger of forgetting where I was, or why I was there.

There was absolutely no danger of forgetting where I was, or why I was there.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I was struck by the sketch-style image of the Crystal Bucket on the wall near the entrance.

I was struck by the sketch-style image of the Crystal Bucket on the wall near the entrance.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It felt very unique to the restaurant, which I liked.

It felt very unique to the restaurant, which I liked.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The design played off of the building's history as a bank.

The design played off of the building
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

My favorite detail was the repurposed vault door, now used to protect the Colonel's secret blend of 11 herbs and spices.

My favorite detail was the repurposed vault door, now used to protect the Colonel
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The floor-to-ceiling windows brought in plenty of light.

The floor-to-ceiling windows brought in plenty of light.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

They made the whole restaurant feel more elevated, definitely nicer than the average fast food stop.

They made the whole restaurant feel more elevated, definitely nicer than the average fast food stop.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The ceiling and lighting were the most surprising details that I wasn't anticipating from the outside.

The ceiling and lighting were the most surprising details that I wasn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The cathedral wood ceiling and hanging lights wouldn't feel out of place at a much more formal restaurant.

The cathedral wood ceiling and hanging lights wouldn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Somehow, though, it fits perfectly with the windows and the classic Americana KFC design, and all came together.

Somehow, though, it fits perfectly with the windows and the classic Americana KFC design, and all came together.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Workers told me that the windows require frequent cleanings to keep them looking pristine.

Workers told me that the windows require frequent cleanings to keep them looking pristine.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

They looked basically spotless during my visit.

They looked basically spotless during my visit.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The restaurant had several other aspects of KFC's updated next-gen designs.

The restaurant had several other aspects of KFC
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Source: Insider

There was a pickup window right next to the counter for mobile orders placed on KFC's app.

There was a pickup window right next to the counter for mobile orders placed on KFC
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

When restaurants do have these pickup shelves they can sometimes be hard to find or seem almost hidden, but this KFC had a large, lit-up arrow making it clear.

When restaurants do have these pickup shelves they can sometimes be hard to find or seem almost hidden, but this KFC had a large, lit-up arrow making it clear.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The back area of the former bank, which had lower ceilings than the rest, was converted into the kitchen.

The back area of the former bank, which had lower ceilings than the rest, was converted into the kitchen.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

In addition to digital menu boards, another digital screen displayed information about where the chickens were from and who was preparing them.

In addition to digital menu boards, another digital screen displayed information about where the chickens were from and who was preparing them.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The atrium area seats about 40 people in the 2,500-square-foot space.

The atrium area seats about 40 people in the 2,500-square-foot space.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There was a mix of standard height tables, booths, and taller tables with stools.

There was a mix of standard height tables, booths, and taller tables with stools.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

KFC's collaboration with Jack Harlow was impossible to miss, thanks to signs everywhere.

KFC
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

A drawing of Harlow's face was even on my cup, in the same style as the drawing of Colonel Sanders, which I found a bit unsettling.

A drawing of Harlow
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

We ordered two Big Bucket meals, which each came with sides and drinks.

We ordered two Big Bucket meals, which each came with sides and drinks.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The chicken tenders are great, but I always love KFC's sides most.

The chicken tenders are great, but I always love KFC
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There was also a Mountain Dew flavor exclusive to KFC, though I stuck with my standard Diet Pepsi.

There was also a Mountain Dew flavor exclusive to KFC, though I stuck with my standard Diet Pepsi.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The sweet tea was also tempting.

The sweet tea was also tempting.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Overall I was very impressed with the Crystal Bucket, which looked even better in person than I'd expected.

Overall I was very impressed with the Crystal Bucket, which looked even better in person than I
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I definitely haven't been to every location, but I understand why it's called the most beautiful KFC in the world.

I definitely haven
Mary Meisenzahl Insider

Source: The Leader

Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at mmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.

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