KFC to test plant-based Beyond Fried Chicken in Atlanta, Georgia

A wave of plant-based alternatives is sweeping the fast-food industry, and now it's reaching a brand new territory: fried chicken. Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) announced a limited test of 'Beyond Fried Chicken' starting 27 August at a single location in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, according to Food & Wine magazine.

This marks a significant development, as KFC claims to be the first national American fast-food chain to offer plant-based chicken. The new menu item is a collaboration with Beyond Meat, a company well-known for its plant-based offerings across the quick-service sector, including burgers, tacos, and breakfast sandwiches.

Customers can choose from two varieties of Beyond Fried Chicken: nuggets with dipping sauces or boneless wings tossed in classic flavors like Nashville Hot, Buffalo, or Honey BBQ. The price point is competitive, with nuggets starting at US$1.99 for four pieces and wings starting at US$6 for six.

While KFC hasn't revealed if the plant-based option uses the same batter as their traditional fried chicken, they emphasize that Beyond Fried Chicken delivers the "finger lickin' good" taste KFC is famous for. This aligns with the collaboration's goal – to create a plant-based alternative that appeals to both Beyond Meat and KFC fans.

Unfortunately, experiencing Beyond Fried Chicken first-hand will be a challenge for most. The test run is exclusive to the KFC location on Cobb Parkway near SunTrust Park in Smyrna, Georgia. However, there's a silver lining for those fortunate enough to be nearby. Between 10:30am and 6:30pm on 27 August, customers can get a free sample of Beyond Fried Chicken with any purchase, while supplies last.

KFC highlights the importance of customer feedback during this limited launch. The data collected in Atlanta will be used to evaluate the possibility of a wider test or even a national rollout of Beyond Fried Chicken.

While KFC remains tight-lipped about the future of Beyond Fried Chicken beyond the initial test, the limited availability and emphasis on being "first" suggest the company has bigger plans. Considering Beyond Meat's successful national launches in the past, a broader rollout of plant-based chicken at KFC seems likely in the near future.