KFC’s Saucy Nuggets have only been around since March, but they’ve showcased quite a bit of flavor versatility since. Starting Aug. 12, the nuggets will feature three new flavors, including honey garlic, chipotle ranch, and mango habanero. They will join the lineup that already includes Korean BBQ, an original flavor, and Honey BBQ, which was added in June. The initial flavors of Honey Sriracha, Sticky Chicky Sweet ‘n Sour, Nashville Hot, and Georgia Gold are no longer available.
The updated lineup includes:
• New Chipotle Ranch, featuring a mildly spicy and smoky blend of chipotle peppers and creamy ranch.
• New Mango Habanero: A mashup of mango, habanero peppers and other savory flavors.
• New Honey Garlic, featuring the classic taste of honey and garlic combined with a kick of heat.
• Korean BBQ: A sweet and savory umami sauce with soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and sesame.
• Honey BBQ: A sweet, smoky, and tangy sauce with brown sugar and honey rounding out the tanginess of tomato and secret spices.
"At KFC we continue to lead the ‘saucy parade’ with more new Saucy Nugget flavors,” chief marketing officer Nick Chavez said in a statement. “Why get a saucy nugget from a burger joint when you can experience KFC’s 100 percent white meat nuggets, hand-breaded with KFC's Original Recipe and drenched in sauce?”
The latter part of that quote is likely a direct reference to Wendy’s, which launched Saucy Nuggs in June, intensifying a competitive sauce battle in the quick-service space in response to consumer demand. Data shows that 34% of consumers now consider what sauces are available when deciding on a restaurant.
KFC could use the tailwind. The company’s U.S. same-store sales fell by 5% in the second quarter reported earlier this week, on top of a -7% decline in the first quarter. The chain will promote its new sauces through its “Sauce Serve Truck,” inspired by a classic ice cream truck, with stops in New York City (Aug. 17), Austin, Texas (Aug. 24), and Ann Arbor, Mich. (Sept. 7). KFC is also ensuring its new sauces are part of a bigger value narrative gripping the industry, with 10 Saucy Nuggets available for $5.99. The 40-piece Saucy Nuggets Party Pack digital exclusive is available for $19.99.
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