Kentucky Fried Chicken is changing its menu … again.
The fast-food restaurant occasionally introduces new menu items, and some of items that YUM Brands' (YUM) KFC has added to its menu have been um… interesting. KFC had a heart-stopping sandwich idea of using two fried chicken patties to replace the buns of a sandwich, it was dubbed the KFC Double Down.
At one point KFC even had a chicken-flavored lip balm. When the fast-food chain launches crazy products, it's hard to know exactly what a serious new menu item is or if it is just a publicity stunt to gain attention. While KFC's 11 herbs and spices blended together on fried chicken are finger-licking good, not sure anyone wants to lick their lips all day tasting fried chicken, that can’t be a healthy choice.
A menu item being tested, which makes perfect sense, is the addition of KFC chicken nuggets. This item is only being tested in Charlotte, N.C. The chicken nuggets trial unfortunately involves dropping the much-loved, bite-sized KFC Popcorn Chicken. It’s only a test, so who knows if it will make it nationwide. Since the chicken chain is known for introducing new and unique menu items, its menu capacity isn’t unlimited, so menu items tend to come off the list as well.
KFC/TheStreet
KFC Removes Regional Items From Its Menu
While removing a fan favorite menu item that has been a staple of the restaurant chain isn’t exactly a great idea, it does allow the fast-food joint to provide more efficiency in what it does offer. KFC has dubbed its changes as a menu simplification. It's about allowing the company to focus on efficiency and innovation.
"It's really to deliver our most popular products perfectly each time and to actually make room for new products,” said Brittany Wilson KFC’s US Director.
KFC is removing Kentucky Fried Chicken wings, popcorn chicken, Nashville Hot Sauce, strawberry lemonade and chocolate chip cookies. These popular menu items are being pulled since they are not offered nationwide, according to Wilson. The efficiencies that come from dropping these menu items provides a faster service time for customers, and while it doesn’t sound like much, one KFC franchise owner claimed that dropping the other menu items, has cut delivery time by 11 seconds.
KFC has said that it has seen an increase in customers looking for value and it has been working to deliver that to diners. Keeping that in mind, when dropping the chicken wings, KFC noted that "So many of younger consumers are not interested in eating chicken on the bone," according to KFC Head Chef Christ Scott, when discussing the addition of chicken nuggets over chicken wings.
KFC has cited that it has seen an increase in customers looking for value and KFC has been working to deliver just that. Keeping that in mind, when dropping the chicken wings, KFC has noted that "So many of younger consumers are not interested in eating chicken on the bone, according to KFC Head Chef, Christ Scott, when discussing the addition of chicken nuggets over chicken wings.
KFC Reintroduces Wraps
While some menu favorites will trickle off menus nationwide, the customers have made requests to bring back other favorites.
"We really received an outcry of requests on social media for us to bring back wraps," Wilson stated and then continued that the 2-for-$5 offering is being added at a time when "consumers are much more value conscious."
The wraps are being offered for only a limited time, but the portability of menu items that can be eaten on the go is big. Wilson continued that sandwiches on the go will definitely be something they look at in the future. While KFC is freeing up space in the back kitchen, it's able to curb costs as well as drop less popular items and put more focus on customer delivery accuracy and timing.
The menu items will be dropped nationwide, but since the majority of KFC restaurants are franchised, the dropping of the menu items will be completed over the next couple of months. So, if you're a fan of KFC's chocolate chip cookies, wings, popcorn chicken or its Nashville Hot Sauce there still might be time to get that craving satisfied one last time, while supplies last.
