KFC announces launch of vegan chicken burger in UK
Despite its global reputation as a fast food chain renowned for its proclivity for chicken, KFC has finally entered the vegan food market.
Kentucky Fried Chicken, as it’s been named since its conception in 1952, announced the launch of a vegan chicken burger in the UK on Thursday.
“The Imposter” burger replaces KFC’s typical chicken breast fillet with a fillet made from Quorn, which has been coated in the Colonel’s Original Recipe herbs and spices.
The burger is served with vegan mayonnaise, fresh iceberg lettuce and a soft-glazed bun.
KFC is due to trial “The Imposter” burger in selected restaurants in London, Bristol and the Midlands from 17 June for a four-week period.
Victoria Robertson, chief vegetable enthusiast at KFC UK and Ireland, says its “unfair” vegans have been “denied the incredible taste of KFC up to now”.
“Which is why we’ve worked hard to perfect ‘The Imposter’ – a vegan burger that the Colonel would be proud of,” Robertson adds.
The news of KFC's soon-to-be-released vegan burger delighted several vegan foodies.
"Officially excited," one person tweeted.
OH MY GOD @KFC_UKI WHAT STORES ARE DOING THE VEGAN BURGER PLEASE I NEED TO GO 😭
— Niamh Skinner (@niamhskinner)
KFC launching a trial vegan burger, the Imposter Burger, on Monday. Officially excited.
— ToméMS (@tmorrissyswan)
Tony Davison, head of global foodservice and QSR (quick service restaurants) at Quorn, states that the company “couldn’t believe” the idea of a vegan KFC burger.
“But we’ve done it – working with KFC we’ve created a bespoke Quorn fillet that does the Colonel’s recipe justice,” Davison says.
“We have no doubt that KFC fans are going to love the modern take on a finger lickin’ favourite.”
Dawn Carr, director of vegan corporate projects at Peta, described the launch of “The Imposter” burger as “clucking marvellous”.
Last month, KFC hinted at plans for a plant-based alternative to chicken on its menu.
Kevin Hochman, US president of KFC, said the company was “meeting with the big suppliers of alternative proteins to understand the market and where it’s headed”.
Earlier this year, Burger King launched its vegetarian Whopper burger, dubbed the “Impossible Whopper“.
The plant-based burger was made available in 59 stores around Missouri in the US.
Here are all the KFC restaurants where "The Imposter" burger is being trialled:
Bristol - Fishponds
Bristol Bradley Stoke
Bristol - Winterstoke Road
Bristol - Eastgate Retail Park
Bristol - Avonmeads Retail Park
Bristol - Shield Retail Park
Bristol - Keynsham
Bristol - Hengrove Leisure Park
Bristol - The Venue Cribbs Causeway
Birmingham - Great Bridge Retail Pk
Bloxwich - Leamore Lane
Cannock - Orbital Retail Park
Tamworth - Ventura Retail Park
Tyburn - Kingsbury Road
Walsall - Junction 10 M6 Services
Walsall - Park Street
Dudley - Merry Hill Food Court
Stourbridge - St Johns Road
Dudley - Merry Hill Drive Thru
London – Gloucester Road
"The Imposter" burger will cost £2.99 on its own, and £3.49 with a drink.
KFC is also due to trial a vegetarian dish, "The Southern Fritter Stacker", in the form of a burger, wrap and ricebox from 15 July from the same locations.
To read all about the biggest vegan food launches this year, click here.