KFC Is Making a Major Change to Its Beverage Offerings for the First Time in Nearly 40 Years

KFC to Change Beverage Supplier After Nearly 40 Years with PepsiCo

In a significant shift, KFC has announced plans to replace its long-standing partnership with PepsiCo in favour of collaborating with The Coca-Cola Company. This decision, which marks the conclusion of close to four decades of business ties, will see COca-Cola products debut in KFC outlets across the United States starting in January 2027.

The fried chicken giant revealed this upcoming change on October 15, indicating that popular drinks such as Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, and Starry will be replaced by Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fanta. This announcement signals a new era for KFC, which has been working to modernise its offerings and enhance customer experience.

Catherine Tan-Gillespie, President of KFC U.S., expressed enthusiasm about the new partnership: “I’m incredibly excited to bring KFC and Coca-Cola together. These are two originals, with deep consumer love.” KFC believes that this collaboration will create new opportunities for beverage innovation and fruitful pairings with their food offerings, aiming to provide added reasons for customers to visit their restaurants.

The transition to Coca-Cola beverages is expected to be completed by spring 2027 across all KFC locations in the U.S. This partnership signifies a culmination of a relationship that began when PepsiCo acquired KFC in 1986. While KFC was spun off from PepsiCo in 1997, the latter continued to supply beverages under Yum! Brands, KFC’s parent company.

The decision for KFC to shift to Coca-Cola reflects recent trends among major brands severing ties with PepsiCo, with notable examples including the food courts of Costco and hotels under the Marriott umbrella. However, several large chains will continue to serve Pepsi products, such as Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Subway.

KFC’s move comes at a time when the company is grappling with a competitive fast-food market. Once the leader in chicken chains in the United States, KFC now ranks fifth by sales. To regain its position and appeal to modern consumers, the brand recently announced plans to refresh its menu, branding, and restaurant design.

This menu revamp focuses on “flavour exploration, personalization, and craveability.” Among the changes are the introduction of a global sauce pantry featuring over 20 different sauces, including new flavours like Chimichurri Ranch and Hot Honey Habanero. The company’s strategy also includes expanding its beverage offerings, with new items such as Boba Refreshers, Krunch Shakes, Sparkling Lemonades, and Iced Coffee being added to the permanent menu in select international markets.

In the UK and Ireland, KFC locations have also been experimenting with a variety of beverages, and the recent changes highlight the chain’s commitment to enhancing its beverage platform globally.

As KFC prepares for its partnership with Coca-Cola, the company has also updated its branding. This summer, customers noticed that the iconic KFC bucket now prominently displays “KFC” in a bold red font alongside a refreshed rendition of the Colonel, its longstanding mascot.

As the fried chicken chain embarks on this new chapter, customers and industry watchers are keen to see how these changes will influence KFC’s performance and consumer engagement in a rapidly evolving fast-food landscape.