You can expect to see some big changes to KFC in the way of new menu items, restaurant revamps and new technology for 2025. The changes are aimed at keeping KFC fans engaged and also attract millennials and GenZers to the chain. Here are some of the things you can expect to see.
- Brand experimentation – Tarin Lal, KFC U.S. president is focusing on improvement in sales by integrating new restaurant tech in stores, leveraging artificial intelligence, and implementing a customer rewards program. Also coming are more Saucy locations, a chicken tenders spin-off that was introduced at the end of 2024. There’s also a new restaurant prototype, “KFC Original” which was launched in 2024. It features new kitchen tech and ordering, new music, an improved drive-thru along with a brand new look. All of these changes are meant to appeal to new and long-time customers.
- New menu items – some new items that are coming in 2025 include loaded bowls for $5 each. They include the Nashville Hot Loaded Fries Bowl, the Nashville Hot Mac & Cheese Bowl, and the Nashville Hot Famous Bowl. All of the bowls combine chicken nuggets with Nashville hot sauce and other ingredients. There are also international menu items that we don’t see here in the U.S. like cereal chicken in Singapore, a cereal burger, and a “Squid Game” menu which is only available in Spain at this time.
- Closing of KFC locations in Turkey – according to a January 2025 press release, 283 restaurants in Turkey are expected to close but parent company Yum! Brands is planning to reopen them if possible. There are also plans to continue to open locations internationally throughout 2025.
- Sustainability goals are approaching their deadlines – Yum! Brands has been working to make all their packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025 to reduce waste and minimize their ecological footprint. At this time, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen as brands like KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Habit Burger & Grill have only achieved around 20% of the desired goal. Countries that include France, Kenya, India and Canada have had better results, so the new goal among all brands for 2025 is now 10%.
Source: mashed