KFC to launch Beyond Meat fried 'chicken' across US

[NEW YORK] Yum Brands' KFC restaurants will start selling plant-based fried "chicken" from Beyond Meat Inc across the US on Jan 10 for a limited time, KFC said on Tuesday (Jan 4).

Beyond shares rose more than 7 per cent in after-market trading.

KFC, Yum's biggest brand, had nearly 4,000 restaurants in the US at the end of 2020, according to a regulatory filing.

KFC started testing Beyond's plant-based chicken in August 2019 in Atlanta and expanded to more areas the following year.

In February 2021, Yum and Beyond announced a global partnership to create plant-based menu items for Yum's KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut over "the next several years."

Major fast-food chains have been vying for partnerships with faux meat makers as they add vegan and vegetarian menu options.

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Beyond rival Impossible Foods is working with Burger King, a unit of Restaurant Brands International.

Prices for the Beyond Fried Chicken at KFC will start at US$6.99 in most places but will vary by location.

REUTERS