Kentucky Fried Chicken is paring down its menu, eliminating five familiar favorites as the fast food chain works to streamline options for customers, USA Today reported. But one fan favorite is set to make a triumphant return.
KFC is bringing back the Double Down Sandwich after a break of almost ten years. It’s a bacon and cheese sandwich with two chicken patties as buns.
The sandwich is set to return to KFC locations nationwide March 6, according to a press release from the fast-food chain. It will be served for only four weeks.
“The Double Down is one of the most buzzworthy fast food menu items ever,” KFC US Chief Marketing Officer Nick Chavez said in a statement. “People have begged for it to come back for almost ten years, so we’re welcome the chaos by bringing back our most famous sandwich ever for only four weeks.” “.
While the Double Down will return for a brief time, some of KFCs other menu classics have met a different fate.
Popcorn chicken, Kentucky fried chicken wings, Nashville hot sauce, strawberry lemonade, and chocolate chip cookies were dropped from KFC menus across the country starting in November.
USA Today talked to Brittany Wilson, director of KFC US, who said that the changes should make it easier for customers to place orders.
“Weve narrowed down options for customers, making it easier for them to decide what to order and focusing on menu items that we do best,” she said.
The new menus are being rolled out nationwide, Fox Business reported, and will provide space for new ideas at the longstanding fast food chain.
“We took a deep look at the mix of the menu to see where consolidation would make sense, and we rolled out new menu boards in November 2022,” Wilson told Fox. “Though we are removing a few items, it will allow us to make room for some new, exciting additions to the menu in 2023.”
As a fast food fan, I was disappointed when KFC’s delicious popcorn chicken suddenly vanished from menus. This bite-sized, crispy, breadcrumb-coated treat had been a staple for years, making its abrupt absence quite noticeable. Curious and a bit heartbroken, I decided to investigate the mysterious behind-the-scenes story of this cult-favorite menu item.
A Sudden, Unexplained Disappearance
One day I went to my local KFC and discovered the popcorn chicken combo was just…gone. No sign of it anywhere on those glowing menu boards. I asked the cashier what happened, and they didn’t seem to have an answer. I searched online to see if others were as confused as I was and sure enough, lots of disappointed customers were asking What happened to the popcorn chicken?
KFC offered no explanation about the removal. Social media channels simply indicated it was no longer available. As someone who faithfully ordered popcorn chicken for years its sudden disappearance left me feeling betrayed. Had KFC realized the error of its ways and brought back this staple permanently, perhaps all could have been forgiven. But that’s not what happened next…
The Sporadic Reappearance as a Limited Time Offer
I almost jumped out of my chair when I saw those beautiful little fried nuggets back on KFC’s menu after what seemed like an eternity without them. But I wasn’t happy for long when I realized that its return would only last for a short time.
Puff-a-boo was a game that popcorn chicken played with us for a few years. They would show up on menus for a short time to impress us, then disappear again. KFC didn’t say why; they just used the common ad phrases “back by popular demand” and “for a limited time only!” to market it.
This strategic bait-and-switch tactic left me resentful. The taste of popcorn chicken had me hooked, and KFC knew it. By making it available only occasionally, the company manufactured a feeling of scarcity and urgency, likely in an effort to drive up sales. As much as I wanted to resist, I found myself craving those crispy morsels each time they reappeared.
Experiencing the Regional Inconsistency
It was even more confusing that popcorn chicken wasn’t completely gone from all restaurants, since it was only available sometimes. The KFCs near me pretended it never happened, but I started to notice that some locations still had it and even made it a regular item on their menu.
It was clear that KFC chose to stop selling popcorn chicken in some markets but keep it in others. There didn’t seem to be a clear reason why some areas were given more access to popcorn chicken. Its presence seemed inconsistent and arbitrary.
This only added to the feeling of unfairness and mystery surrounding the decision. If popcorn chicken could still be found at some KFC locations, why not make it universally available? Alas, KFC wasn’t accepting questions.
Examining the Business Strategy Behind the Madness
Since KFC wasn’t providing any clues, I decided to dig deeper and examine the potential business strategy driving this popcorn chicken rollercoaster. After researching tactics commonly used in the fast food industry, a few likely explanations emerged.
First, it’s possible KFC wanted to simplify operations and minimize costs. Popcorn chicken requires labor-intensive breading and frying processes. Its removal may have increased efficiency in the kitchen. However, if cost savings was the only goal, why keep popcorn chicken at certain locations?
Next, it seems obvious KFC intentionally uses limited-time marketing to create a sense of urgency and excitement around popcorn chicken’s return, hoping to drive profit. This approach allows them to enjoy the sales spike associated with ‘hot’ featured items while retaining a streamlined permanent menu.
Finally, the regional variations suggest KFC tests popcorn chicken in select markets and bases broader decisions on those results. The sporadic nature of its availability hints that popcorn chicken’s long-term fate remains undecided. KFC likely continues evaluating its performance, trying to determine if a permanent comeback is warranted.
Reflecting on the Future of This Beloved Menu Item
As a longtime popcorn chicken enthusiast, I hold out hope that KFC will opt to return it to menus universally and permanently. However, the company shows no signs of abandoning the maddening limited-time strategy anytime soon.
I may never fully understand the rationale behind popcorn chicken’s ever-changing availability. But I’ll be first in line to order it whenever it magically reappears near me. Here’s hoping the fast food gods eventually take mercy and give us back our crunchy, bite-sized prize on a permanent basis. A popcorn chicken lover can dream!
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She did not name any new items, but the fast food chain rolled out some new items in recent weeks. On February 6, KFC announced it would add Kentucky Fried Chicken Wraps to the menu nationwide.
According to a press release from the chain, the wraps were mentioned more than 42,000 times on social media following a test run in Atlanta.
“Wraps fans have been begging for fried chicken wraps to return, and were answering the call with our new finger lickin good KFC Wraps,” said US chief marketing officer Nick Chavez. “Two KFC Wraps for $5 is a steal. Whether you crave a Classic Chicken Wrap or are looking to turn up the heat with Spicy Slaw, weve got you covered. “.
Still, for some on social media, it will take time to adjust to the reduced menu.
“Why not drop the unpopular items and keep the popular ones?” one person tweeted.
“No popcorn chicken? So whats that mean for the famous bowl?!” another chimed in.
KFC Popcorn Chicken – The Icon Is Back
FAQ
Did they get rid of popcorn chicken at KFC?
Popcorn chicken has been discontinued due to low or no production of the product. Hopefully it’s not permanent.
Does KFC still have popcorn?
In 2020, KFC simplified its menu to get back to the core of fried chicken, sandwiches, and tenders. The smaller menu meant a lot of fan favorites were axed—including the OG Famous Bowl, which was made with popcorn chicken.
Where can I buy KFC popcorn chicken?
THIS PRODUCT IS AVAILABLE AT. YOUR LOCAL KFC AND FOR DELIVERY. Why not order ahead for pickup in restaurant or order delivery and we’ll bring finger lickin’ chicken to you.
What KFC items are being discontinued?
Kentucky Roast Beef (1968–1970), Little Bucket Parfaits (1969–2012), Country Style Barbecue Ribs (1975–1982), Kentucky Nuggets (1981–2004), Country Fried Steak (1984–1988), Chicken Littles Original (1986–1989), Hot Wings (1990–2019), and Popcorn Chicken (1992–2023).