Originally released for a small testing cycle in 2019, the KFC Beyond Fried Chicken products are making a return to the fast-food restaurant's menu as a permanent addition in 2022. Beyond Fried Chicken was tested in 2019 and 2020, with each test being met with incredible success for KFC. Now, KFC believes it has perfected the plant-based chicken recipe, making it a permanent menu addition.
The beyond chicken products at KFC are available in six-piece or 12-piece buckets, or as part of an individual combo. Much like the regular chicken combos at KFC, the Beyond Fried Chicken combo comes with fries, a drink, and a choice of the brand's famous dipping sauces.
It is important to note that, while the Beyond Fried Chicken products themselves do not contain any meat, they are not prepared in a contactless, meat-free kitchen. This means cross-contamination is possible, so KFC has urged devout vegans to take caution. Instead, these plant-based products are targeted at more casual vegetarians or flexitarians.
Plant-Based Fried Chicken Releases
'KFC' Has Debuted its 'Beyond Fried Chicken' Across the U.S
Trend Themes
1. Plant-based Fast Food - The success of KFC's Beyond Fried Chicken provides an opportunity for other fast food chains to add plant-based options to their menus and cater to a growing consumer preference for plant-based foods.
2. Cross-contamination Prevention - The caution KFC has advised for the Beyond Fried Chicken orders offers an opportunity for food service industry businesses to consider implementing contactless preparation and kitchen processes to accommodate a wider range of dietary needs.
3. Improved Plant-based Meat - As KFC continues to improve its recipe and other fast food chains follow its lead, plant-based meat options will become more advanced in terms of texture and flavor and offer more options for those seeking to reduce their meat consumption.
Industry Implications
1. Fast Food - Fast food chains have the opportunity to capitalize on the growing trend of plant-based diets by offering more vegetarian and vegan menu options like KFC's Beyond Fried Chicken.
2. Food Service Industry - Food service industry establishments have an opportunity to address a wider range of dietary needs by implementing more stringent measures to prevent cross-contamination and accommodate plant-based diets.
3. Plant-based Meat Industry - Plant-based meat companies have an opportunity to improve the texture and flavor of their products to attract more consumers and compete with traditional meat products as more fast food chains and restaurants begin to offer plant-based options.