KFC, the beloved fast-food chicken joint, has recently made some changes to its menu that have left fans feeling distraught. Popular items like popcorn chicken, wings, Nashville Hot sauce, strawberry lemonade, and chocolate chip cookies will no longer be available. While it’s understandable that things may change at a KFC restaurant near you, there is good news – KFC’s original Colonel Sanders recipe with eleven herbs and spices will remain unchanged.
The decision to remove these items is part of KFC’s efforts to increase efficiency and streamline the ordering process for customers. By reducing the number of options available, the fast-food chain aims to make it easier for both customers and workers. Additionally, this menu simplification will allow KFC to focus on introducing innovative and appetizing solutions to the American consumer marketplace.
According to KFC U.S. Director Brittany Wilson, the goal is to deliver their most popular products consistently and create space for new offerings. The changes are expected to take effect in the next month or so, and KFC enthusiasts may need to brace themselves for a different menu.
The items that were chosen to be removed were selected for various reasons. Some were not available nationally, while others did not contribute significantly to the sales mix. This strategic decision aims to pave the way for KFC’s exciting new spring menu innovations.
Interestingly, the menu changes have already shown positive results for some franchise owners. Justin Stewart, a KFC franchise owner and COO of Stewart Restaurant Group, shared that his employees have benefited from the simplified menu. The streamlined options have led to faster packaging of orders, resulting in an impressive 11-second reduction in drive-thru order time.
Data from Intouch Insight’s 2022 Annual Drive-Thru Study reveals that the average KFC drive-thru customer waits approximately 63.6 seconds for their order, with a total service time of around four minutes. By removing less popular menu items, KFC aims to improve order accuracy and product availability, while also reducing controllable costs associated with waste and preparation time.
While the changes may have had a positive impact on some customers’ experience by allowing them to navigate the new menu more easily, there are many KFC fans who are unhappy about losing their favorite items. We’d love to hear your thoughts on the KFC menu changes! What do you think about the new direction KFC is taking?
