Colonel Sanders’ famous 11 herbs and spices found themselves sprinkled upon a brand new plant-based fried chicken alternative yesterday (Tuesday, 27th August 2019) courtesy of KFC and Beyond Meat. The trial of a meat-free KFC started at a restaurant in Atlanta and went so well that the vegan chicken substitute sold out in less than five hours.

KFC has become the first fast food chain to introduce a vegan chicken alternative, partnering with Beyond Meat, a California start-up whose mission is to create ‘The Future of Protein’ with “delicious plant-based burgers, sausage, crumbles, and more.”

Plant-based KFC chicken meal

KFC has previously stated that it had no plans to introduce a vegan alternative in its restaurants. Still, having met Beyond Meat, the friend chicken juggernaut had a change of heart, selling meatless chicken covered in their signature secret spices in a trial announced at the start of the week.

KFC said it would decide how to proceed with the product depending on customer reaction. And if reports are to be believed, yesterday’s trial was a huge success, with the selected Atlanta branch ultimately selling out of its supply in just a few hours after lines began to form at 8am.

While no firm number was provided, the chain did claim that the amount of Beyond Chicken sold is equivalent to the amount of popcorn chicken the branch sells in a week.

KFC’s move follows Burger King’s successful introduction of its vegan Impossible Burger.