One southern chain is making a bid to stay relevant amid changing tastes and increased competition in the fast food poultry industry.
Kentucky Fried Chicken recently debuted a test kitchen where it will offer new ideas in an effort to meet the evolving desires of customers. The brand chose McKinney to launch its Open House concept of expanded hours and menu options, including breakfast and late-night meals and trendy drinks.
The chain announced its “Kentucky Fried Comeback” last week and celebrated its grand opening over the weekend.
“We’re building on the craveable fried chicken and genuine hospitality people have always loved about KFC, while introducing new flavors, new experiences and more ways to enjoy the brand,” said Catherine Tan-Gillespie, President, KFC U.S. “It gives guests a reason to try us, or try us again.”
While the new hub will remain focused on value and the chain’s “iconic 11 herbs and spices,” its menu is “built for how guests eat today,” a news release says. New options include “bolder sauces, more flavor customization and an elevated beverage experience.”
Classic chicken will continue to be served in buckets or between bread, but it can now be paired with new sauces — such as jalapeño ranch, sweet heat ranch and garlic parmesan — served in dipping containers or drizzled over the crispy meat. Also new to the menu are sides including fried green beans and spicy pickles. And the expanded beverage list includes boba refreshers and “Krunch shakes.”
In a foray into the morning food industry, the new KFC Open House will open at 6 a.m. to serve breakfast sandwiches, hashbrowns, mini cronuts and iced lattes. It will close at midnight.
The new 3,400-square-foot outpost, located at 8751 El Dorado Parkway, offers a dual drive-thru and areas for mobile order pickups and delivery. It’s also angling to keep customers inside its window-lit space with the offer of table service alongside ordering kiosks, seating for 52 diners, a photo booth and KFC-branded merchandise.
“I never knew I’d be down for a first date at a fast food chain,” said one woman behind an Instagram video. “But KFC’s new elevated restaurant concept is all green flags.”
Founded in 1952 with the slogan “Finger Linkin’ Good,” the company said it plans to use this new restaurant to identify what customers want and bring those ideas to more locations across the country.
The Plano-based company operates more than 3,500 restaurants nationwide and over 34,000 nationally.
The company news release didn’t say why the brand chose McKinney to launch its novel concept, but the city in the fast-growing Dallas-Fort Worth metro area recently ranked as the nation’s top place to rent in a study by the home-finding platform RentCafe.
