Kentucky Fried Chicken is the first national quick service restaurant (QSR) chain in the United States to introduce plant-based chicken products, in partnership with Beyond Meat. Beyond Fried Chicken debuted on August 27 in Atlanta, Georgia, in a limited test run at the Cobb Parkway eatery near SunTrust Park.
“KFC Beyond Fried Chicken is so delicious, our customers will find it difficult to tell that it’s plant-based,” boasted Kevin Hochman, president and chief concept officer of Louisville, Kentucky headquartered KFC US. “I think we’ve all heard the ‘It tastes like chicken’ expression. Well our customers are going to be amazed and say: ‘It tastes like Kentucky Fried Chicken!'”
Diners who want to make it a meal can choose from several Beyond Fried Chicken options including Nuggets in six or 12-piece combo meals (which include a side dish and a medium drink) for $6.49 and $8.49, or go for a four-piece à la carte offering priced at $1.99. Also on the menu are Boneless Wings in six or 12-piece options for $6 and $12.
The international chain, which currently operates more than 23,000 KFC restaurants in over 135 countries and territories around the world, turned to El Sugundo, California-based Beyond Meat to create a finger lickin’ good plant-based fried chicken that will appeal to its clientele. Customer feedback from the Atlanta test will be considered as the Yum! Brands company evaluates a broader test or potential national rollout.
“KFC is an iconic part of American culture and a brand that I, like so many consumers, grew up with. To be able to bring Beyond Fried Chicken, in all of its KFC-inspired deliciousness to market, speaks to our collective ability to meet the consumer where they are and accompany them on their journey,” said Ethan Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Beyond Meat.
Beond Meat began developing plant-based meat in 2009 and since then has introduced several breakthrough products across the brand’s beef, pork and poultry platforms. The announcement of plant-based chicken makes the KFC and Beyond Meat partnership is the first of its kind in the American QSR space.
