KFC Is Testing Plant-Based Beyond Fried Chicken at Over 65 U.S. Locations
Big news! Plant-based company Beyond Meat just announced plans to test an updated version of its Beyond Fried Chicken at about 66 Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants! Lucky locations in Charlotte, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; and Kentucky will receive the “newly improved” chicken. Beyond Meat founder Ethan Brown told Yahoo Finance, “There is nothing else on the market like it.”
The Beyond Fried Chicken test will begin on February 3 and run through February 23. Available in four- or 12-piece orders and combo options, the fried chicken is vegan if ordered with the Nashville hot sauce or plain with dipping sauce on the side.
KFC U.S. CMO Andrea Zahumensky told Yahoo Finance:
We do everything we can to keep the Colonel proud. I think the Colonel would be very proud of what we are doing here with Beyond fried chicken.
KFC first tested Beyond Fried Chicken in August, releasing it for one day at one location in Atlanta. Combined with KFC’s signature secret spices, the Beyond Meat vegan chicken made KFC the very first American fast-food chain to add a Beyond Meat chicken item to its menu.
Beyond Fried Chicken was such a success it created lines around the block, with customers ranging from plant-based eaters to flexitarians to the simply curious. The chicken received rave reviews. Zahumensky exclaimed that demand for the product was “off the charts,” which encouraged the move to a larger rollout.
Data from the Plant Based Foods Association shows that in the past year, retail sales of plant-based foods in the United States have jumped 11 percent, bringing the total plant-based market value to a whopping $4.5 billion. Even more impressive? According to Barclays analysts, the alternative meat brands category is projected to reach $140 billion in the next decade!
Plant-based foods are not just better for animals—they’re better for the planet. Start adding more delicious vegan options to your life by downloading our FREE Vegetarian Starter Guide!