KFC: Nearly 30% digital sales increase Q2

Throughout the past several quarters, Taco Bell has hogged the spotlight for Yum Brands’ earnings results. That spotlight in Q2, however, belonged to KFC.

On August 2nd, Yum reported a 9% increase in same-store sales on the quarter – nearly 2% higher than analysts’ expectations. Global sales jumped 13%, with KFC up 19%, and both Taco Bell and Pizza Hut up 7%. Comp sales increased 13% at KFC, 4% at Taco Bell, and 4% at Pizza Hut. Habit Burger Grill, the newest and smallest chain in the company’s portfolio, increased system sales by 9% with flat same-store sales.

Much of KFC’s performance came from a recovering China business, though the U.S. market was up 5% driven by “a combination of product innovation and always-on value strategy,” CEO David Gibbs said during the earnings call Wednesday morning. KFC’s nuggets launch in late March generated transaction growth, with 100 million sold in the first eight weeks. Gibbs said the product also appealed to younger and new customers and built upon an already established sales layer from the chain’s sandwich launch in 2021.

Yum’s recommended ordering system, an AI/machine learning module that predicts how much food a GM should order, was deployed to 800 stores in the second quarter, and is now live in over 4,400 KFC and Taco Bell U.S. stores. And, Yum’s next gen point-of-sale system, which Turner said improves operational efficiencies and enhances team member effectiveness, was deployed to 1,000 Taco Bells in the quarter, with a 5,000-unit target by the end of the year.

Taco Bell just dropped the Grilled Cheese Dipping Taco

Taco Bell is introducing its first birria-inspired taco, made with slow-braised, shredded beef that’s folded into a tortilla with melted cheese and served with two types of dip.

The new protein, available Aug. 3 nationwide, is called the grilled cheese dipping taco. In addition to shredded beef and a three-cheese blend of cheddar, mozzarella and pepper jack, the white corn shell is filled with a creamy jalapeño sauce. Instead of the traditional red-tinged beef broth, however, this birria taco will be served with a warm nacho cheese sauce and Taco Bell’s red sauce, which the chain says is “carefully calibrated to achieve the perfect consistency and harmony of flavors with every bite.”

KFC US appoints Paul Tuscano as new chief digital officer

KFC has appointed Paul Tuscano as its new chief digital officer, effective August 1st. The new role was created to drive the company’s digital priorities further. Tuscano will oversee the implementation of the KFC digital roadmap, ensuring that the right capabilities guide digital solutions for the customer. He will report to KFC president Tarun Lal and work alongside KFC chief technology officer Chris Caldwell.

Taco Bell Drops Exclusive Team Member Gear With Artist “It’s A Living”

Taco Bell is known for its unexpected menu mashups, like Doritos� Locos Tacos and the Grilled Cheese Burrito, but team members are the secret ingredient that drives the company from the kitchen and beyond. Today (July 17th), Taco Bell announced it is collaborating with Brooklyn-based artist Ricardo Gonzalez, known as “It’s a Living,” to introduce exclusive team member gear paying homage to the brand’s people-oriented culture. The streetwear-inspired collection includes a commemorative shirt and hat with the saying “family is everything,” displayed across both items, expressing the people-first values the brand holds. Earlier this month, Taco Bell team members across the country received the items alongside a note from Taco Bell CEO Mark King, encouraging team members to show their brand spirit by wearing the ensemble with pride. The “It’s a Living” partnership marks the second installment in an ongoing annual series of team member-driven collaborations. In 2022, Taco Bell partnered with Los Angeles-based streetwear brand Born X Raised on another merchandise collection for team members in honor of the brand’s 60th anniversary.

KFC launches new branded-merchandise store featuring Shady Rays collaboration

KFC and Shady Rays? It doesn’t get any more Bluegrass State than that.

To celebrate National Fried Chicken Day, the Louisville-based fast food giant and Simpsonville-based eyewear brand are collaborating to lay an exclusive pair of polarized sunglasses.

Each pair of the finger-lickin’ shades — ones of the best-selling Classic Black Timber variant — will come with Shady Rays’ replacement and warranty provisions and the limited-edition KFC pouch to carry them in.

The shades will highlight the Thursday debut of KFC’s KFCShop.com, a new merchandise venture with more than 20 items that will be updated with special collections and new releases. Other items released include the doubly-meaning KFC Bucket Hat, the 1991 KFC Logo Koozie and the Finger Lickin’ Good Tumbler.

Taco Bell names new Chief Executive Officer

Taco Bell has hired Sean Tresvant as its new chief executive officer effective Jan. 1, 2024. Tresvant is the first Black person in the role.

Tresvant, who currently serves as global chief brand and strategy officer, will succeed CEO Mark King, who announced that he is retiring at the end of 2023. In his new role reporting to Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs, Tresvant will lead Taco Bell’s growth strategies, franchise operations and company performance.

“Sean is laser focused on keeping our powerhouse Taco Bell brand at the leading edge of culture and redefining innovation in the industry,” Gibbs said. “That’s why he is the ideal executive to continue successfully executing Taco Bell’s long-term global growth strategies and take them to the next level in partnership with the brand’s strong and accomplished leadership team and incredible franchisees.”

Tresvant first joined Taco Bell in January 2022 as global chief brand officer and his role was later expanded to global chief brand and strategy officer in early 2023. Prior to joining the company, he worked in several different leadership roles at Nike for over 15 years.

KFC Teams Up with Deion Sanders and His Family to Champion the Joy of Family Dinner Time

Kentucky Fried Chicken® is teaming up with legendary Pro Football Hall of Famer and head football coach at the University of Colorado Boulder, Deion “Prime Time” Sanders, and his family to promote the brand’s latest menu innovations, including new KFC Chicken Nuggets and other soon-to-be-announced menu innovations. To kick off the partnership, Coach Prime and his five children – Deiondra, Deion Jr., Shilo, Shedeur and Shelomi – appear all together for the first time ever in content where they roll up to a KFC drive-thru in true “Prime Time” fashion (in a signature, custom KFC-branded golf cart) to order their fried chicken favorites. Deion Sanders’ mom, Connie Sanders, even makes an appearance in content where the family enjoys new KFC Chicken Nuggets.

This year, KFC has changed the fried chicken game by introducing several new limited-time menu items to appeal to younger audiences and families, including KFC Wraps, the Double Down (making a triumphant return to the KFC menu after a 10-year hiatus) and the Bacon & Cheese Chicken Sandwich; and introduced 100 percent white meat KFC Chicken Nuggets to its menu.

Taco Bell and Crocs Partner for Limited Edition Collab

The hottest summer slides just dropped! Taco Bell is teaming up with Crocs, the world leader in innovative casual footwear, on the first-ever Mellow Slide limited edition collaboration. The iconic brands have reimagined Crocs’ comfy Mellow Slides and added some heat so fans can be reminded to Live Más with every step.

With a simple, yet modern design, Crocs Mellow Slides boast a mood-boosting silhouette and blissful design to allow your feet to melt into the footbeds. Inspired by Taco Bell’s signature colors, black and purple, the Taco Bell x Crocs Mellow Slides feature an ombre-like fade with “Live” and “Más” imprinted separately in white within each footbed. The slides are perfect for a beach trip, park hang – or a quick trip to Taco Bell when a craving strikes.

Mark your calendars for the drop to go nationwide on June 28, available exclusively on crocs.com, retailing for $60. Early access for the slides will be shared with fans who have reached FIRE! Tier status, so watch your Taco Bell app inbox on June 20 for an exclusive link to be granted priority access to enter crocs.com**.

An iconic Taco Bell menu item is going vegan

One of Taco Bell’s most recognizable menu items is going vegan testing a vegan Crunchwrap, marking the first time that Taco Bell has sold a fully vegan entree.

Similar to a traditional Crunchwrap, the vegan version uses a “proprietary, boldly seasoned” plant-based protein topped with two vegan sauces: a blanco sauce (similar to sour cream) and a vegan nacho sauce. Then it’s all wrapped in a crunchy tostada shell. However, it’s not going nationwide just yet: A total of three Taco Bell locations — one each in New York City, Hollywood and Orlando — will sell the vegan Crunchwrap beginning June 8 until supplies last. Those cities were selected because they have notable vegan populations. The vegan version is priced the same as a traditional wrap, which ranges from $4.99 to $6.79 depending on the city. Taco Bell has long appealed to vegetarians and vegans since it offers black beans as a protein. In 2019, Taco Bell rolled out a vegetarian menu. Items could be customized more than 8 million ways to fit a vegetarian diet. Nearly a quarter of Taco Bell food sold last year was vegetarian options.

Diablo 4 KFC Collaboration Officially Revealed

Diablo 4 has officially begun its new promotion with KFC featuring special in-game cosmetics. Neither Blizzard nor KFC formally announced the upcoming promotion beforehand, but it seems the Diablo 4 promotion is now live at many of the restaurant’s locations.

Recently, several leaks suggested a second KFC promotion with Diablo 4 was coming for the game’s launch. Though it was never officially announced, an internal email made reference to several in-game cosmetics players could obtain by purchasing KFC, and models for several poultry-themed Diablo 4 weapons were discovered as well.

It seems the Diablo 4 promotion is not only real–it is rolling out at KFC locations across the US right now. On May 29, KFC added a new landing page to its website announcing the collaboration with Diablo 4, and many restaurants began using special Diablo 4 cups and sandwich wrappers. Players will be able to sync their Battle.net accounts to unlock rewards starting May 30, but sandwiches purchased digitally through the KFC app or website now will still count as qualifying purchases. With the cheapest sandwiches costing about $5, unlocking all five Diablo 4 weapons from KFC will cost about $25.