June 3, 2019

KFC explores possibility for plant-based meat alternatives
 

Major fast food brand Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is looking at the plant-based meat alternatives market "in earnest and meeting with the big suppliers of alternative proteins to understand the market and where it's headed," the president of KFC US said.

"We don't see chicken as the big trend right now," Kevin Hochman told CNN Business.

He commented that KFC "certainly would test" meat alternatives if plant-based poultry gets increasingly popular with consumers. For now, KFC US does not have any plan to test plant-based meat, a spokesperson said, adding that company is currently observing this trend.

According to research firm Euromonitor International, the US meat-substitute retail market could reach US$2.5 billion by 2023, compared to US$1.4 billion in 2018. Demand is driven by consumers who are concerned about the healthy and environmental benefits of consuming plant-based meat alternatives.

On a worldwide scale, the market could expand from about US$18.7 billion in 2018 to US$23 billion in 2023.

Other fast food brands that had ventured into meat alternatives include Burger King  with a meatless version of it Whopper burger as well as Carl's Jr which has started selling meatless burgers.

- CNN