International fast-food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has introduced Oatly vegan ice cream to its menus throughout China. The brand will now be offering these plant-based ice cream alternatives in two flavors: Strawberry and Chocolate.
Considering KFC is a major fast-food chain known worldwide for its fried chicken, the addition of vegan-friendly desserts to its menus may seem a tad peculiar. That being said, the brand is simply keeping up with the competition, as the food industry continues to undergo a kind of plant-based revolution. Moreover, in partnering with Oatly, KFC China is capitalizing on the rising popularity of oat-milk specifically and aligning themselves with a trendy new brand.
Oatly began selling pints of vegan ice cream in 2019, which were so popular the company decided to make a move into soft serve -- the ice cream of choice for KFC China.
Oat-Based Soft Serves
KFC Has Launched Oatly Vegan Ice Cream in China
Trend Themes
1. Plant-based Desserts - There is a growing demand for plant-based desserts as more consumers adopt a vegan lifestyle, creating a disruptive innovation opportunity for the food industry to create innovative plant-based desserts.
2. Oat Milk - The popularity of oat milk is growing, which presents an opportunity for the beverage industry to create new oat milk-based products.
3. Soft Serve Ice Cream - The introduction of oat milk-based soft serve ice cream is a new trend that is disrupting the traditional dairy-based ice cream industry, creating an opportunity for dairy-free alternatives.
Industry Implications
1. Fast Food - As fast food chains expand their menus to include plant-based options, there is a disruptive innovation opportunity for the industry to create new vegan menu items.
2. Dairy-free Products - The rising popularity of oat-based products such as Oatly's vegan ice cream and milk presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for dairy-free product manufacturers to create oat milk-based products.
3. Ice Cream - The introduction of dairy-free alternatives to traditional ice cream is disrupting the industry and creating an opportunity for manufacturers to create innovative plant-based alternatives.