KFC has announced its intention to become the first QSR in the United States to launch a plant-based chicken with their new Beyond Fried Chicken. The new product will be available from a specific restaurant in Atlanta and will come as either chicken nuggets or as boneless wings.
“KFC Beyond Fried Chicken is so delicious, our customers will find it difficult to tell that it’s plant-based,” Kevin Hochman, president and chief concept officer of KFC U.S., said in a statement. “I think we’ve all heard ‘it tastes like chicken’—well our customers are going to be amazed and say, ‘it tastes like Kentucky Fried Chicken.’”
KFC has been working with various meat-alternative suppliers over the preceding months to find a suitable match. Beyond Meat gained the advantage when they were able to procure plant-based white chicken meat.
The test in Atlanta will provide KFC with real feedback, from which they will consider a broader test or potential national rollout. Ethan Brown, founder and CEO of Beyond Meat, said, “My only regret is not being able to see the legendary Colonel himself enjoy this important moment.”
