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Tag: chicken

  • Hybrid chicken nuggets launched by +Plant

    Hybrid chicken nuggets launched by +Plant

    Food company +Plant has launched a chicken nugget made of 50-per-cent chicken and 50-per-cent plant protein.

    The hybrid chicken nuggets are gluten-free, additive-free, and carry a four-star health rating.

    +Plant is part of The Positively Good Co, which aims to “bridge the gap and be the gateway” for people wanting to consume less meat and more plants. Other hybrid meat products in its range include Beef +Plant Meatballs, Lamb +Plant Meatballs and Chicken +Plant Tenders.

    Todd Robertson, founder of +Plant, says the hybrid chicken nuggets were created with the fussy eater in mind, giving it the same taste and texture as regular chicken nuggets but with the added benefit of vegetables.

    “My son was a great inspiration for the chicken nuggets because he is a fussy eater and loves his nuggets, but nutrition has always been a concern at mealtimes,” said Robertson. “We don’t have to worry anymore because he enjoys the taste of the +Plant nuggets, and I know he is still getting all of the nutrition he needs.”

    +Plant Chicken Nuggets are available for delivery through +Plant’s website or sold at Harris Farm Market, Brisbane, for RRP $7.99

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  • Top fried chicken restaurant chains post growth

    Top fried chicken restaurant chains post growth

    Vietnam’s three most popular fried chicken restaurant chains earned combined revenues of VND4.3 trillion ($185.5 million) last year, up more than 11 percent year-on-year. South Korean brand Lotteria recorded the highest revenues at VND1.68 trillion ($72.5 million), up nearly 8 percent year-on-year. It has the highest number of outlets in Vietnam at over 210 in more than 30 localities.

    Lotteria’s performance was an improvement with over the 2 percent growth rate recorded in 2018 and 2017, but smaller than the double-digit rate it enjoyed from 2014-2016.

    It was followed by American brand KFC with revenues of nearly VND1.5 trillion ($64.3 million), up 1.3 percent year-on-year. In 2018 and 2017 its growth rate was 7.5 and 18.3 percent respectively.

    KFC, the earliest of the three to enter Vietnam, has over 140 outlets in 32 localities. In third place, with revenues of VND1.1 trillion, was a Filipino brand Jollibee. With over 100 outlets, Jollibee posted the highest growth of the three at over 40 percent year-on-year.

    In the last three years, its annual growth rate has averaged over 37 percent, several times that of KFC and Lotteria. But of the three chains, only KFC posted a pre-tax profit of VND102 billion last year, its fourth consecutive profit-making year.

    Both Lotteria and Jollibee have been reporting losses in the last five years. Last year, the two chains reported losses of VND22 billion and VND10 billion, respectively.

    Market observers have attributed the slower growth of fast-food chains in recent years to changing eating habits among the Vietnamese, who are prioritizing health over convenience.

    Market research firm Nielsen had said earlier in a report that there was an increasing percentage of Vietnamese identifying health as a sign of success instead of richness. The rising number of food contamination cases and environmental issues have also prompted people to care more about health issues, it said.

    In 2018, there were 7,000 fast food outlets in Vietnam, a relatively insignificant number considering there are around 540,000 food and beverage businesses comprised of 430,000 street vendors, 80,000 restaurants, and 22,000 cafes and bars, according to Dcorp R- Keeper, a global company which provides technological solutions to food and beverage businesses.

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  • KFC most favored fast food chain in Vietnam

    KFC most favored fast food chain in Vietnam

    American chain KFC is the most frequently visited fast food restaurant chain in Vietnam, with 45 percent of respondents visiting its stores often, a new survey found. It is followed by South Korea’s Lotteria with 17 percent of 600 respondents, and American restaurant chains Pizza Hut and McDonald’s both at 6 percent, according to the survey by Ho Chi Minh City-based market research firm Q&Me.

    Top reasons cited for favoring KFC were: delicious food (66 percent); convenient location (63 percent); suitable for family and the youth (60 percent); and variety on the menu (56 percent).

    The survey found 87 percent ordering food online from fast-food chains. Of these, KFC was the most ordered from at 52 percent, followed by Lotteria (30 percent) and Pizza Hut (21 percent).

    “Now” was the most popular delivery app for fast food online orders with 24 percent of the respondents opting for it, followed by GrabFood (20 percent). In Vietnam since 1997, KFC now has 135 outlets, mainly in HCMC and Hanoi, Vietnam’s two biggest metropolises, while Lotteria has around 200. Market research firm Euromonitor said in a recent report that international players dominate the limited-service restaurant market in Vietnam, since local independent chains are mostly small family-based businesses with insufficient resources to take on the big players.

    But, as a whole, fast food chains are experiencing slower growth. Market observers have said one of the reasons could be that the eating habits of Vietnamese are changing, with health being prioritized over convenience.In 2018, there were 7,000 fast food outlets in Vietnam, a relatively insignificant number considering there are around 540,000 food and beverage businesses comprised of 430,000 street vendors, 80,000 restaurants and 22,000 cafes and bars, according to Dcorp R- Keeper, a global company which provides technological solutions to food and beverage businesses.

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  • KFC Thailand for sale

    KFC Thailand for sale

    A slice of KFC Thailand is being considered for sale by franchise owner Restaurants Development in a deal that could net $200 million.

    Sourcing people with knowledge of the matter, the firm is taking advice on a potential sale of the operation – which involves roughly 200 locations and 4000 staff. There is no certainty a sale will proceed and the source said discussions remained at an early stage with no formal bid yet tabled.

    Restaurants Development is backed by investors throughout Asia and operates KFC Thailand alongside Central Group (running 275 stores) and Thai Beverage – which purchased more than 240 KFC restaurants three years ago for roughly $361 million.

    Yum Restaurants International (Thailand) transformed itself into a 100-per-cent franchisor business in 2018 in an effort to yield optimal efficiency across the entire business operation.

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  • KFC tests plant-based chicken meals in China

    KFC tests plant-based chicken meals in China

    KFC has launched a three-day test of its plant-based chicken meals in China starting from today, April 28.

    Partnering with US food manufacturer Cargill, KFC China debuts its plant-based chicken nuggets, which are made from soy, wheat, and special pea, at selected stores in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

    “We are committed to embracing innovation and continue to delight and surprise our customers with tasty products,” said Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China. “The test of KFC’s Plant-Based Chicken Nuggets caters to the growing market in China for delicious alternative meat options on the go.

    “We believe that testing the plant-based chicken concept with one of our most iconic products will take this increasingly popular meatless trend to a new level.”

    Before the test was launched, consumers downloaded some 7000 coupons required to purchase the food from the KFC app. In Shanghai, the coupons sold out in just one hour. The company has also changed the layout and decor of participating stores to promote the initiative.

    KFC is not the only food-retailing brand to roll out plant-based meals in China this month – Starbucks recently launched a plant-based menu in stores across the country.

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  • KFC Singapore launches contactless takeaway service

    KFC Singapore launches contactless takeaway service

    KFC Singapore has launched a contactless takeaway service, allowing customers to purchase safely during the circuit breaker period in the city.

    According to KFC, it is the first fast-food restaurant brand in Singapore to launch such a service. With “Contactless Takeaway”, customers can place orders via KFC Singapore’s app or its website and pick up the food at contactless pick-up tables in the chosen store.

    These contactless pick-up tables will be sanitised after each order is completed, the company said in the statement.

    “With the ‘Contactless Takeaway’ and ‘Contactless Delivery’ options, we are doing our very best to ensure that our famous fried chicken will be as accessible as always even during these trying times,” said Lynette Lee, GM at KFC Singapore.

    The ‘Contactless Takeaway’ service follows the ‘Contactless Delivery” option launched early last month.

  • KFC Japan celebrates 50th anniversary

    KFC Japan celebrates 50th anniversary

    KFC Japan will celebrate its 50 anniversary this year.

    After its successful trial at the Osaka Expo in March 1970, KFC Japan was founded on July 4 in honor of Independence Day in the fast-food chain’s home country, the US.

    The first KFC Japan store was opened in the suburban location of Nagoya in November that year.

    Back then, the term “fried chicken” wasn’t widely used in Japan. However, KFC is now one of the country’s most popular fast-food chains, and has even become a tradition at Christmas.

    To celebrate the 50th anniversary, KFC Japan has designed a logo for the event and plans to roll out TV commercials and special menu items later in the year.

    “In the changing world, KFC Japan will continue to express appreciation by providing delicious taste through food,” the company said in a statement.

    “We will express our sincere thanks through our products, campaigns and activities during our 50th anniversary year and promise to continue to protect the ‘deliciousness that no one can imitate’.”

    Japan is the third-largest market for KFC after China and the US, with 306 outlets directly operated by the company in Greater Tokyo and 826 restaurants run by franchisees in regional areas.

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  • South Korea’s Crispy Chicken n’ Tomato expands in Japan

    South Korea’s Crispy Chicken n’ Tomato expands in Japan

    South Korean chicken chain Crispy Chicken n’ Tomato has expanded its retail network into Tokyo, opening 10 stores in the city this month.

    Besides selling at stores, Crispy Chicken n’ Tomato has also partnered with UberEats to offer “sharing brand service” which allows one store on UberEats to bear two brands at the same time.

    The company introduces this type of business as unlike franchises, owners do not need to change interiors, uniforms, equipment or their existing menu.

    Crispy Chicken n’ Tomato’s operator, E-mate Co, said food-delivery sales are increasing significantly in a local restaurant market that has traditionally suffered slow sales growth for various reasons.

    “We are looking for restaurant partners and agencies that want to secure new profits”, said a spokesperson.

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  • Bonchon chicken in Thailand Planning Expansion

    Bonchon chicken in Thailand Planning Expansion

    Thai-headquartered Minor International has bought an effective 70-per-cent stake in the master-franchise rights holder of Bonchon chicken in Thailand.

    The deal sees Minor take controlling interests in Singapore’s Spoonful Pte and Spoonful Thailand, which will drive future expansion of the South Korean fried-chicken chain in Thailand. Minor paid US$79 million for the shares.

    The transaction leaves Mint as the effective operator of Bonchon chicken in Thailand and follows its $66 million purchase of Chicken Time last November, which at the time ran 40 outlets across Thailand. At the time of that deal the company said it was in the process of negotiating with Bonchon’s South Korean owners for the right to expand the network further.

    That pathway has been cleared and Mint says it now owns long-term exclusive territorial rights and the ability to expand and sub-franchise Bonchon chicken in Thailand. It plans to grow the store network to more than 150 restaurants throughout the country by the end of 2024, representing a five-year CAGR of more than 25 percent.

    “This latest investment in the master franchise rights of the Bonchon brand … emphasizes our strategy to enhance our portfolio offerings and further strengthen the restaurant business in Thailand,” said Minor Food CEO Paul Kenny.

    “With almost 10 years of presence in the country, Bonchon brings a highly loyal customer base of Thai millennials and Generation Z, which we will further build on.”

    The expansion strategy will focus on shopping centers and community malls, along with delivery-format stores to capture the fast-growing delivery market. With only two stores outside the nation’s capital of Bangkok currently, key cities in the regions will be targeted as well.

    During the first two months of this year, sales of Bonchon chicken in Thailand have proven resilient amidst the coronavirus crisis, supported by strong delivery sales.

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  • Fruitas to launch grilled chicken, fresh foods concepts

    Fruitas to launch grilled chicken, fresh foods concepts

    Philippine food-and-beverage kiosk operator Fruitas Holdings will soon launch two new concepts in addition to their popular fresh-fruit shakes concept.

    The first is a store concept under Babot’s Farm brand, while the second represents Fruitas Holdings’ new forway into the fast-growing grilled chicken market segment.

    “Babot’s Farm is a collection of fresh products which Fruitas is excited to serve to Filipino consumers. Our mission is to make fresh products easily accessible to Filipinos, thus bringing the farm closer to them,” said FHI president and CEO Lester Yu.

    Babot’s Farm will initially have three verticals of fresh products in its own portfolio,

    including the company’s buko beverage line, a new soy range under Soy & Bean, featuring products from its recent acquisition, The Tofu Store, and fresh dairy.

    Soy & Bean’s soy-based products will initially include fresh soy milk, tofu, taho, and soy-based ice cream.

    Meanwhile, Fruitas’ grilled-chicken business will be offered through its existing kiosk network along with new solus stores to be opened in strategic locations. The firm will leverage off its recently acquired Heat Stroke Grill and Kuxina Ihaw na.

    Yu said the company is excited about its impending entry into the chicken business and confident it can do so in a cost-effective manner and develop a “well-loved product”.

    Fruitas Holdings started in 2002 from a single Fruitas stall. The company ended last year with 1068 stores across the country.

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  • First franchised KFCs open in Chinese gas stations

    First franchised KFCs open in Chinese gas stations

    Yum has announced the opening of its first franchised restaurants in Chinese gas stations, in collaboration with China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec) and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

    The first franchised KFC restaurant has been launched in a CNPC gas station in Yunnan Province while the first one in a Sinopec gas station is set to open its doors, Liaoning Province, next week.

    “The first franchised gas station restaurants represent an important milestone in our long-term strategic partnership with both companies,” said Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China. “Together with Sinopec and CNPC, we are committed to building a successful business model and creating innovation-driven growth together.”

    The partnership with Sinopec and CNPC will enable Yum China to expand its retail network into a previously underserved segment of the market as both companies collectively operate more than 50,000 Chinese gas stations.

    With the partnership, Yum China aims to open more than 100 stores in the next three years and create more opportunities to collaborate in other fields.

  • KFC urban concept unveiled in The Bronx

    KFC urban concept unveiled in The Bronx

    KFC has unveiled its newest urban inline restaurant design in the Bronx, NYC. Influenced by Colonel Sanders-inspired hospitality and the hustle and bustle of the Bronx, KFC’s new concept design illustrates “the borough’s fast-paced, eclecticism”.

    Designed by FRCH Nelson, KFC in the Bronx features a brick wall with KFC’s signature red and white stripes and tagline “It’s finger-licking’ good”. Different pictures of Colonel Sanders hung on the other white focal wall.

    “The Bronx neighborhood has a rich history and has seen a great deal of urban renewal in recent years,” said Lauren Moorehead, associate design manager of KFC. “It is important for us to reach our customers where they are and through our work with FRCH Nelson we’ve been able to create our first urban inline design that makes our brand more accessible for residents of the Bronx community and nearby Fordham University.”

    The design features a modern style that “captures the Colonel’s vintage flavor while marking a stark departure from the chain’s early decor, modeled on Sanders’ first restaurant”.

    Design director at FRCH Nelson, Marty McCauley, said working with a brand historically known for its southern hospitality, the agency created a design that maintained the great experience, but also looked to fold in a distinctly edgier attitude to deliver on the feistiness of what guests see from KFC in commercials and on social media.”

    KFC operates more than 23,000 restaurants in 140 countries and regions around the world under fast-food operator Yum! Brands.

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  • KFC expands delivery offer with Menulog

    KFC expands delivery offer with Menulog

    QSR chain KFC has extended its partnership with Menulog for three more years after seeing a strong response to its offer on the food delivery platform over the past 12 months.

    The agreement will see the chicken chain offering delivery in more suburban and regional areas as it brings more restaurants onto the platform. More than 360 KFC restaurants currently offer delivery through Menulog, and that figure is set to rise by almost 10 per cent by the end of this year. KFC also offers delivery through rival platform Deliveroo.

    Competition in Australia’s food delivery space is intense, and the key players – Menulog, Deliveroo and Uber Eats, the market leader – all see restaurant chains with national footprints and sizeable marketing budgets, such as KFC, McDonald’s and Hungry Jack’s, as an important path to expansion.

    Since US delivery giant DoorDash entered the local market in September, the race to strike deals with QSR brands has only heated up. DoorDash recently offered free Oporto burgers as part of a promotion to mark its launch into Sydney. And Menulog’s managing director Ben Carter said the platform will continue to take advantage of co-marketing opportunities with KFC.

    “Kentucky Fried Chicken is a favourite with our customers and so there is a very compelling co-marketing opportunity that we will continue to take advantage of over the next three years,” Carter said in a statement.

    “Customers can expect to see some very exciting, creative and truly integrated work that will add value and enjoyment to the KFC and Menulog delivery experience.”

    Menulog recently announced it had signed its 16,000th restaurant in Australia. The platform is owned by UK-based company Just Eat, which is in the middle of a merger with the Dutch Takeaway.com.

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  • KFC New Zealand drives Restaurant Brands’ sales

    KFC New Zealand drives Restaurant Brands’ sales

    Restaurant Brands total group sales grew 2.7 percent over during the first half of FY20, though net profit fell 2 per cent due to the adoption of a new leasing standard.

    Total group sales, which include KFC, Pizza Hut and Carl’s Jr. in New Zealand, as well as KFC operations in Australia, and Taco Bell and Pizza Hut in Hawaii, grew to $442.6 million – an increase of $11.6 million on the prior year.

    Net profit fell to $20 million, 2 percent lower than the $20.4 million seen during 1H19, due to the adoption of NZ IFRS 16, which knocked net profit down $2.9 million as a result of lease depreciation costs.

    The bulk of the sales improvement came from KFC’s New Zealand operations, which saw sales up 7.9 per cent to $193.5 million.

    Same-store sales grew 5.7 percent, while EBITDA totaled $41.8 million, driven by a further roll-out of the business’ delivery operations, as well as successful product promotions and the opening of three new stores.

    Pizza Hut saw a more difficult half, with total sales down 10.5 percent to $18.3 million despite the expansion of the chain’s store network. Same-store sales also fell 4.4 percent due to competitive pressure, the impact of launching new stores, as well as the appearance of new food delivery companies in the New Zealand market.

    Restaurant Brands also confirmed it would be opening its first New Zealand Taco Bell at LynnMall Shopping Centre in Auckland next month.

    “Initial planning and setup is well underway to bring this exciting new brand to the New Zealand market with the first new store in Auckland targeted to open in November,” the company said in a release.

    Restaurant Brands chief executive Russel Creedy said the group would launch up to 25 Taco Bells across New Zealand in the next five years.

    The group’s Australian results were adversely affected by a stronger New Zealand dollar, with KFC Australia seeing 4.2 percent total sales growth to $99.5 million. Restaurant Brands is also planning to open two Taco Bell stores in New South Wales, Australia in the calendar year.

    “The overall business continues to deliver solid results across all geographic markets and this strong performance is expected to continue in the second half of the year,” the group said.

    The directors believe that, not including further impact of NZ IFRS 16, Restaurant Brands will deliver an NPAT at least 10 per cent higher than FY19 – having previously stated they are expecting a net profit of $45 million for the FY20 period.

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  • KFC Hong Kong tests new concept store format

    KFC Hong Kong tests new concept store format

    Fast-food chain KFC Hong Kong has opened a new concept store format in Causeway Bay.

    The new three-storey store, which seats 150, aims to enhance the traditional fast-food dining experience with a chic style. It features a street-level kiosk offering desserts and ice creams, while the first floor has self-ordering kiosks with modern bar stools.

    The second floor is a dining area where the walls are decorated with murals. Three-dimensional art installations have been installed at each stairway, allowing customers to take instagrammable photos.

    “KFC is evolving,” said KFC Hong Kong and Macau CEO Janet Yuen. “We uplift the traditional fast-food experience and maintain brand authenticity with a more relaxed and chic cafe style.

    “The concept store is to create a trendy socialising hub, enabling our customers to enjoy valuable moments with friends.”

    The outlet has also introduced freshly cooked-to-order food items as the restaurant chain aims to uplift its fast-food dining experience in a more comfortable, trendy setting.

    Local franchisee Jardine Restaurant Group operates more than 810 outlets for KFC owner Yum! Brands, with operations under Pizza Hut in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam and Myanmar together with KFC in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Vietnam.

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