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KFC unveils new vegan range – but is it coming to Australia?

Fast food chain KFC has announced the introduction of vegan chicken to its menu after a hugely successful trial last year which saw the product sell out in just five hours.

Vegan customers at more than 50 KFC outlets across Southern California, in the United States, can now get their hands on the restaurant’s iconic “finger lickin’ good” fried chicken.

The chain began rolling out its vegan Beyond Fried Chicken in both six and 12-piece packs on July 20.

While the latest offering has been made available to thousands of people living in Greater Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County, vegans “across the pond” have been left salivating.

KFC has introduced vegan fried chicken to its menu in more than 50 stores across California. Source: Instagram/kfc
KFC has introduced vegan fried chicken to its menu in more than 50 stores across California. Source: Instagram/kfc

In a statement to Yahoo News Australia, KFC said it wouldn’t rule out the prospect of introducing the cruelty free product Down Under in the future.

“We’re excited to see product innovations taking place in KFC restaurants across the pond, to cater for all tastes and diets,” a spokesperson for the brand said.

“At this stage we haven’t got plans for meat-free chicken products in Australia but never say never.”

KFC has become the first American fast food chain to add Beyond Meat chicken to its menu.

In August last year, the product sold out in a matter of hours during trial in Atlanta, Georgia.

Beyond Fried Chicken, complete with KFC’s signature secret zests, was also trialed at 66 stores across Charlotte, North Carolina, Nashville, Tennessee and Kentucky earlier this year.

Beyond Meat creator Ethan Brown said the company was “thrilled” about rolling out its products with one of the world’s biggest fast food brands.

The fast food outlet is the first in the United States to start using Beyond Chicken. Source: Beyond Meat
The fast food outlet is the first in the United States to start using Beyond Chicken. Source: Beyond Meat

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with KFC and bring Beyond Fried Chicken to Southern California,” he said in a 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.”

KFC in the UK launched a Zero Chicken range to stores last year, which was also marketed as suitable for vegans.

Several major fast food chains in Australia have increased their availability of vegan menu items in the past 12 months including Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Hungry Jacks and Subway.

The Australian plant protein market in 2017 was valued at $15.65 billion, and was predicted to climb to $24.3 billion by 2025, according to The New Daily.

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