Electric vehicle major BYD has teamed up with Yum China Holdings to roll out a network of “nine-minute” charging drive-thrus across China, offering customers a seamless combination of fast food and fast charging.
In a statement on its official WeChat account, BYD said the initiative will allow EV users to charge their vehicles while picking up meals at KFC China outlets - all in under 10 minutes.
The “nine-minute” concept is built around BYD's second-generation Blade battery, unveiled in March, which the company claims can reach up to 97% charge in just nine minutes.
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As part of the collaboration, BYD has also introduced a smart in-car ordering feature. This system enables drivers to place food orders directly through their vehicle interface and locate nearby KFC drive-thru charging stations along their route. The feature will first be available in BYD's Fangchengbao Ti7 SUV and gradually expand across its passenger EV lineup.
BYD said the partnership aims to address one of the persistent challenges in EV adoption - charging time - by making it more efficient and convenient for users on the move.
The automaker has been rapidly expanding its charging infrastructure, announcing the completion of its 5,000th flash charging station in China on March 31. It plans to scale this up to 20,000 stations by the end of the year.
The move comes at a time when BYD is navigating a slowdown in growth. The company reported a roughly 30% drop in first-quarter sales compared to a year earlier, amid broader weakness in China's EV market, oversupply concerns, and reduced government subsidies from 2026. Rising competition from players such as Leapmotor and Geely's Zeekr brand has also intensified pressure.
Despite the slowdown, BYD remains China's top EV seller, with 367,828 domestic units sold in the first quarter, according to CNBC calculations. However, its Hong Kong-listed shares are down around 20% year-on-year, and the company recently posted its first annual profit decline since 2021.
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The partnership also highlights the enduring strength of China's fast-food sector. According to a 2025 report by DaXue Consulting, KFC remains the country's leading fast-food chain. As of December 2025, Yum China operated nearly 13,000 KFC outlets across 2,500 cities, compared with about 7,500 McDonald's stores in mainland China, according to Xinhua.
“Fast food is firmly part of everyday life in China, especially in cities,” said Ashley Dudarenok, founder of digital consultancy ChoZan. She attributed this trend to long working hours, dense urban lifestyles, and the rapid growth of delivery platforms.
Yum China reported a 5% year-on-year increase in KFC China's sales in 2025, with operating profit rising 8%. The country's fast-food industry was valued at $176.3 billion, according to IBISWorld, with analysts expecting further growth driven by demand in lower-tier cities.
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