KFC Launches Finger Lickin’ Beyond Fried Chicken: Business Casual

Daniel Litwin
Jul 22, 2020
Learn more
Beyond Fried Chicken Beyond Meat Business Casual Daniel Litwin Podcast Kentucky Fried Chicken KFC MarketScale Plant-Based Chicken Taylor Bagley Podcast Tyler Kern Podcast

Powered by RedCircle

Launching their faux chicken version of their product in about 50 locations in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego next week, Kentucky Fried Chicken is joining the ranks of burger chains and other restaurants vying for customers that prefer plant-based dietary options. But is the offering as ‘finger lickin’ good’ as KFC’s tried and true menu? Well, in a trial run last year in Atlanta, the dish sold out in just one hour! A culinary collaboration between Beyond Meat and KFC and coated in an exclusive-to-KFC breading that is similar to the chain’s popcorn nugget breading, Beyond Fried Chicken is the first protein derived from plants—not animals—to be offered at a national chicken chain in the U.S. However, vegetarian-, vegan-, non-GMO, and gluten-free buyers beware: while 100% plant-based, KFC’s Beyond Fried Chicken dishes will be prepared in the same fryers and oil as their world-famous Kentucky Fried Chicken, which may not make the product acceptable for those that adhere to certain dietary restrictions or those with peanut/legume allergies.

On this Business Casual segment, MarketScale co-hosts Taylor Bagley, Tyler Kern, and Daniel Litwin discuss:

  1. Whether the SoCal launch will be as successful as the trial in Atlanta
  2. If this move could lead to more sustainable fast food dining options
  3. How plant-based chicken may impact KFC’s existing B2B sourcing relationships
  4. The best way to market this new product

Every week, Business Casual brings topics to the forefront that affect the food and beverage sector and other B2B industries. For continuing thought leadership, tune in to MarketScale’s Business Casual each Wednesday and Friday to stay abreast of the trends and news shaping our menus and world today.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Food & Beverage Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

The Tech-Enabled Hospital of the Future: Implications for Care Delivery
The Tech-Enabled Hospital of the Future: Implications for Care Delivery
March 12, 2026

Gone are the days when a hospital was simply a place where patients received care. Today’s hospitals are rapidly evolving into highly connected ecosystems powered by advanced technology, networked devices, and real-time data. The modern hospital is no longer confined to physical walls—it’s a dynamic digital environment where data flows seamlessly, AI supports clinical decisions,…

Read More
career
Stop Chasing Titles, Build a Career That Matters: A CAO’s Advice on Long-Term Success
March 11, 2026

Career advice in finance and accounting often centers around promotions, titles, and compensation. But in an era where professionals frequently change jobs every few years—the average American worker now stays in a role for less than four years—industries are facing growing talent shortages and reevaluating what long-term career success looks like. The question many…

Read More
Career success
A CEO’s Blueprint for Career Success: Leading with Love to Drive Performance and Culture
March 10, 2026

Leadership right now feels heavier than it did just a few years ago. Teams are stretched, expectations are high, and many employees are quietly disengaged. In fact, Gallup’s 2025 U.S. data shows that only about 31% of employees are actively engaged at work, leaving the majority feeling disconnected or indifferent. For CEOs and senior…

Read More
employer-sponsored apprenticeships
The Degree That Pays You Back: How Employer-Sponsored Apprenticeships Are Rewriting Higher Ed
March 9, 2026

Higher education is under pressure. Over the past few years, public confidence in the value of a four-year degree has declined significantly, with fewer Americans expressing a strong belief that traditional higher education delivers a worthwhile return on investment. At the same time, employers consistently report that graduates lack job-ready skills—particularly the “durable skills”…

Read More
Related
Produce distribution
Software & Technology
The Produce Distribution Industry Needs Flexibility, Empathy, and a New Generation of Talent
May 1, 2025
Experts Talk graphic, Carl Udler on QSR connectivity
Healthcare
How Hughes is Powering the Future of QSR Connectivity & Fast Food Tech
March 14, 2025

Quick service restaurants (QSRs) are under increasing pressure to enhance speed, efficiency, and customer experience—all while managing a growing network of digital systems. From AI-powered ordering kiosks to real-time kitchen automation, modern QSRs are more connected than ever. The restaurant AI market was valued at $9.68 billion in 2024, and expected to reach $49…

Read More
77X Frozen Cocktail Series
Healthcare
Benefits of the 77X Frozen Cocktail Series
July 31, 2024

The frozen beverage market is booming globally, but many businesses face challenges in serving frozen cocktails due to traditional equipment’s inefficiencies. The 77X Frozen Cocktail Series from FBD addresses these challenges and provides a seamless business solution. This advanced system eliminates product inconsistency and waste through its closed, sealed design and bag-in-box technology, ensuring…

Read More