KFC first fast-food restaurant to test plant-based chicken

Kentucky Fried Chicken announced on Monday it will become the first fast-food company to test a plant-based chicken substitute.

The Beyond Fried Chicken product, developed with Beyond Meat, will debut this week in a limited test in Atlanta, the company said.

“KFC Beyond Fried Chicken is so delicious, our customers will find it difficult to tell that it’s plant-based,” Kevin Hochman, president and chief concept officer at KFC, said in a statement.

{mosads}”I think we’ve all heard ‘it tastes like chicken’ – well our customers are going to be amazed and say, ‘it tastes like Kentucky Fried Chicken!’ “

Beyond Meat has partnered with multiple fast food chains, including Carls Jr. and Del Taco, to provide plant-based meat options.

The company went public earlier this year with a strong performance in the stock market.

“KFC is an iconic part of American culture and a brand that I, like so many consumers, grew up with,” Beyond Meat founder and CEO Ethan Brown said.

“To be able to bring Beyond Fried Chicken, in all of its KFC-inspired deliciousness to market, speaks to our collective ability to meet the consumer where they are and accompany them on their journey. My only regret is not being able to see the legendary Colonel himself enjoy this important moment.”

The move from KFC comes shortly after Burger King launched its own meatless meal, introducing the “Impossible” Whopper nationwide earlier this month.