KFC to offer Beyond Meat’s plant-based chicken across US

• KFC restaurants will start selling Beyond Meat’s plant-based chicken across the U.S.

• KFC’s Beyond Fried Chicken will be available in six-or 12-piece, starting at $6.99

Yum Brands Inc’s KFC restaurants will start selling Beyond Meat’s plant-based chicken across the U.S. from January 10 for a limited time, KFC said on Tuesday.

Yum Brands and Beyond have been testing a meat substitute for years to replicate the taste and texture of chicken. Beyond had announced a deal with Yum to make meat substitutes for Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC.

In August 2019, the companies tested the plant-based chicken at an Atlanta restaurant while in 2020, it was sold in Nashville, Charlotte and southern California.

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Stock performance

Beyond’s stock has not performing well in the last 12 months as its shares have lost half their value, bringing the market value to $3.9 billion. On Tuesday, Beyond’s shares closed 5% down at $61.62.

Yum, on the other hand, has reported 30% jump in the last year, valuing the company at $40.3 billion due to strong demand of KFC’s fried chicken. The same-store sales jumped 13% on a two-year basis during its third quarter.

The chain, however, wants to offer customers something different during the new year time.

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“This is really about where the customer is going, they want to eat more plant-based proteins,” said Kevin Hochman, U.S. president of KFC. “It’s January, so it’s a time of New Year’s resolutions and wanting to do something different in your diet.”

KFC’s Beyond Fried Chicken will be available in six-or 12-piece with dipping sauce included, starting at $6.99, excluding tax.

Picture Credits: KFC