KFC first to test Plant-Based Chicken

In partnership with Beyond Meat

Kentucky Fried Chicken® becomes the first national U.S. QSR (quick service restaurant) to introduce a plant-based chicken, in partnership with Beyond Meat®.

Atlantans will be the first to get a taste of KFC’s new Beyond Fried Chicken as part of an exclusive, one restaurant test.

Beyond Fried Chicken is available in nuggets with choice of favorite dipping sauce.

Kevin Hochman, president and chief concept officer, KFC U.S. said, “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!’”

KFC turned to plant-based leader, Beyond Meat, to create a finger lickin’ good plant-based fried chicken that will appeal to lovers of both Beyond Meat and KFC. Customer feedback from the Atlanta test will be considered as KFC evaluates a broader test or potential national rollout. 

Ethan Brown, founder and CEO, Beyond Meat said, “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. My only regret is not being able to see the legendary Colonel himself enjoy this important moment.”

Beyond Meat began developing its revolutionary 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 a unique one and the first of its kind in the U.S. QSR space.

KFC has a history of frequently testing unique and craveable menu items as a part of the brand’s food innovation strategy, considering food trends and evaluating customer feedback to KFC’s test offerings.