In celebration of the 34th National Day for Helping Persons with Disabilities, a new KFC “Angel Restaurant” officially opened on 16 May at the Liuhu Road outlet in Nan’an, Quanzhou. It becomes the second of its kind in the city, following the first location in Fengze District. Three team members with diverse abilities have now realised their goals of securing meaningful employment.

　　The opening ceremony was witnessed by Mr. Cai Jinzhu, Deputy Director of the Quanzhou Disabled Persons’ Federation; Mr. Huang Guisen, Director of the Nan’an Disabled Persons’ Federation; Ms. Wang Kaichun, Fourth-Level Principal Officer from the Social Security and Non-Tax Division of the Quanzhou Tax Bureau; and representatives from Yum China (Quanzhou).

　　The “Angel Restaurant” is an innovative public welfare initiative that integrates inclusive employment into corporate operations. It is designed to foster a compassionate, empowering work environment for persons with disabilities, offering equitable access to job opportunities and personal growth. The initiative reflects Quanzhou’s commitment to implementing national and local action plans promoting employment for the differently abled, and aligns with broader social inclusion policies from the Ministry of Human Resources and the China Disabled Persons’ Federation.

　　Inside the restaurant, thoughtful design choices accommodate staff needs. Adjustments and customised equipment make daily tasks more accessible. Friendly staff caricatures adorn the walls, while banners promoting inclusivity and freedom of expression hang prominently. At the counter, accessibility service cards ensure seamless ordering experiences. Even during rush hours, “Angel” employees smoothly manage tasks using a self-created sign language system.

　　One employee, Mr. Chen Wei (pseudonym), who has lived with the effects of polio since birth, once struggled to find lasting employment. After short-term roles as a security guard and delivery worker, he now thrives in his third year at KFC. Beyond his core role in food preparation, he has voluntarily taken on the care of greenery both inside and outside the restaurant. Treating the workplace as his second home, Mr. Chen has contributed to a more welcoming environment while also experiencing improved hand mobility and renewed self-confidence. “I’m the backbone of my family. Working here gives me strength and a true sense of belonging,” he shared. “If I could, I’d work here for life.”

　　At the front counter, Xiao Bai (pseudonym), a team member with a hearing impairment, serves customers using a whiteboard and accessible ordering cards. She and her colleague Xiao Zheng—each with over 12 years of experience at KFC—speak warmly of the restaurant as a family. Since joining the “Angel Restaurant” team, they’ve received invaluable support and encouragement, growing in both confidence and purpose. They now aspire to mentor new colleagues and help them build fulfilling lives.

　　Training at the restaurant is carefully tailored to meet each team member’s needs and strengths. At the same time, fair and transparent practices are upheld in areas such as salary, benefits, and career advancement.

　　“‘Angel Restaurants’ are a powerful example of inclusive development,” said Mr. Cai Jinzhu, Deputy Director of the Quanzhou Disabled Persons’ Federation. “They highlight how businesses can take real responsibility and show that persons with disabilities possess extraordinary potential. This model opens new pathways for inclusive employment and sets a positive precedent, helping society better understand and support the needs of all its members.”