More quick-serve restaurants have launched plant-based foods to cater to vegan consumers, and Kentucky Fried Chicken is no exception -- the brand announced it will debut 'Beyond Fried Chicken' in partnership with Beyond Meat on August 27 in a limited test.
KFC's plant-based chicken will deliver the brand's signature "finger lickin' good" flavors and spices that can be enjoyed as nuggets or boneless wings. “KFC Beyond Fried Chicken is so delicious, our customers will find it difficult to tell that it’s plant-based. 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,'” says Kevin Hochman, the president and chief concept officer of KFC U.S.
The new Beyond Fried Chicken trial will be available at KFC's Cobb Parkway restaurants where consumers can try a free sample of the plant-based chicken.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Plant-based Foods
- The rising popularity of plant-based foods is creating opportunities for quick-serve restaurants to cater to vegan consumers.
- Beyond Meat
- The partnership between KFC and Beyond Meat highlights the trend of major food brands collaborating with plant-based meat alternatives companies.
- Disruptive Innovation
- The introduction of KFC's Beyond Fried Chicken showcases how traditional fast food chains are embracing disruptive innovation in the form of plant-based menu options.
Where This Applies
- Quick-serve Restaurants
- Quick-serve restaurants are incorporating plant-based chicken options to meet the growing demand for vegan alternatives.
- Plant-based Meat Alternatives
- The success of Beyond Meat in partnering with KFC demonstrates the potential for growth in the plant-based meat alternatives industry.
- Fast Food Chains
- Fast food chains are exploring disruptive innovation by introducing plant-based menu items to attract a wider range of customers.
