KFC Starts Selling Vegan Chicken In California

Fast-food chain KFC announced it would start selling Beyond Fried Chicken in its locations in Southern California. The plant-based nuggets will be available in a six-piece pack, 12-piece pack, or combo meal at over 50 restaurants. KFC's move comes after several successful trials of Beyond Fried Chicken earlier this year and last year, in Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte.

The vegan chicken will be sold in Los Angeles and San Diego and Orange County, starting July 20. 

"Despite many imitations, the flavour of Kentucky Fried Chicken is one that has never been replicated until Beyond Fried Chicken," Andrea Zahumensky, KFC US's chief marketing officer, said in the statement. "We know the East Coast loved it, so we thought we'd give those on the West Coast a chance to tell us what they think in an exclusive sneak peek." 

In August 2019, KFC rolled out Beyond Fried Chicken in Atlanta for the first time. The vegan dish sold out within five hours. 

In February 2020, KFC tested Beyond Fried Chicken at restaurants in Nashville, Tennessee, and Charlotte, North Carolina, which received an "overwhelmingly positive guest response" according to the press release.

"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with KFC and bring Beyond Fried Chicken to Southern California," Beyond Meat CEO and founder Ethan Brown said in the statement. "KFC is a true category leader, and we are proud to be their partner of choice as they make delicious plant-based chicken more accessible to consumers." 

Beyond Meat is one of the fastest-growing plant-based meat brands in the world. The company went public last year at a valuation of almost $1.5 billion.

Earlier this year, Beyond Meat launched its alternative protein products in China and Brasil.