Most recently, fast-food chain KFC has introduced a new menu item—the Shoyu Crunch Fried Chicken. As the name suggests, the chicken is marinated in spicy Shou, coated with a crispy red breading, and topped with seaweed and sesame seeds. To compliment this, KFC has also launched a Marshmallow Chocolate Hazelnut Egg Tart dessert.
This is yet another example of how QSRs are expanding their product offering to include more interesting flavors. Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic when consumer's opportunity to travel is severely limited by government-imposed restrictions, the Shoyu Crunch Fried Chicken is intended to transport consumers to Japan.
In addition to its Shoyu Crunch Fried Chicken, KFC has also set up "immersive booths" at some of its locations that allow consumers to "dine with a 'view' of Mount Fuji."
Japanese-Inspired Fast Food
KFC is Bring a New Japanese-inspired Shoyu Crunch Fried Chicken
Trend Themes
1. Expanding Flavor Offerings - The introduction of the Japanese-inspired Shoyu Crunch Fried Chicken highlights the trend of fast-food chains expanding their product offerings with unique and exciting flavors.
2. Transportive Food Experiences - KFC's Shoyu Crunch Fried Chicken aims to transport consumers to Japan, showcasing the trend of providing immersive food experiences that help satisfy the desire for international travel.
3. Immersive Dining Concepts - The setup of immersive booths at KFC locations offers a glimpse into the trend of creating engaging and interactive dining experiences that enhance customer satisfaction.
Industry Implications
1. Quick-service Restaurants (qsrs) - QSRs have the opportunity to drive innovation by expanding their flavor offerings and introducing unique menu items inspired by different cuisines.
2. Food and Beverage - The introduction of transportive food experiences allows the food and beverage industry to cater to consumers' demand for novel and culturally immersive dining options.
3. Restaurant Design - The concept of immersive booths showcases an opportunity for the restaurant design industry to create innovative and appealing dining spaces that enhance the overall customer experience.