KFC has been testing a new menu item since late last year and now it’s currently gathering customer feedback in Florida and other select states. The fast-food chain has introduced its new KFC Tenders in West Palm Beach and its surrounding areas for a limited time. Understandably, this might confuse people as the brand has always had chicken tenders on their menu. So what makes this new exclusive release any different?
The difference is that the new KFC Tenders will feature Colonel Sanders’ Original Recipe of 11 secret herbs and spices, which has only been applied to the brand’s nuggets and on-the-bone chicken products. Now, with an improved breading process and different cooking method, the new tenders join the menu lineup showcasing KFC’s iconic Original Recipe.
The new KFC Chicken Tenders are priced at $5 for three pieces and come with a biscuit and a “Comeback Sauce” that’s described to have a zesty and peppery taste. It’s currently being tested in select areas including West Palm Beach area for a limited time.
What Fans Are Saying
Looking at the social media buzz surrounding this new release, the comments are a little more complex than just saying fans have mixed feelings. Upon seeing online announcements of this exclusive test by KFC, fans were quick to react that they can’t wait for the Orginal Recipe tenders to come to their area because it seems that according to some, the current KFC tenders have been declining in taste and quality.
However, according to those who have tried the new Original Recipe tenders and happen to be big fans of the regular version, the new tenders seem to fail to measure up to the regular ones. And while the purpose of the test is to determine whether the new tenders will become a permanent menu item or not, social media comments reveal that these tests that KFC has been doing could be hinting at a discontinuation of the regular tenders. One video review says that he had to buy the Original Recipe tenders and the regular tenders from two different chains, sharing that an employee told him that they don’t make the regular tenders anymore.
Even so, there is reason to believe that KFC’s new Original Recipe Tenders will eventually win fans over considering that it’s made with the legendary flavors of Colonel Sanders’ blend of herbs and spices.
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Why The Change?
The Original Recipe Tenders is a renewed take on KFC’s regular chicken tenders. These new tenders are breaded in the Colonel’s blend of secret spices and herbs and then pressure fried to give them that extra crispy outer texture.
The new KFC tenders were first tested in Cincinnati back in October of last year and received positive customer feedback. According to the brand’s product innovation manager Claire Brandenburg, the reason for testing Original Recipe chicken tenders is because the brand aims to shift some of their boneless products to the breading method of the Original Recipe. The current tenders are coated using a different method called the “Extra Crispy breading system” and go through a regular frying process, whereas the Original Recipe ones are “fried under pressure” to keep the chicken juicy while still giving a crispy texture, shared Brandenburg at a media event at KFC’s headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky.
The brand also said that another reason for the test is to keep attracting new and younger customers and introduce a new generation to KFC’s Original Recipe. Nich Chavez, CMO of KFC U.S. stated that the Colonel’s Original Recipe is the brand’s superpower as their unique seasoning blend of 11 spices and herbs cannot be replicated by anyone.
For $5, customers in West Palm Beach and other select areas can get the new limited-time KFC Tenders with the Comeback dipping sauce and a biscuit by placing an order on the KFC app or the brand’s official website.
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From The Club
Am I the only one wondering why chicken tenders always initially come in threes? Because honestly, three is not enough, especially if it’s going to come in KFC’s Original Recipe. I’m going to need a bigger box and more pieces of tenders than what’s shown in the photos. KFC needs to hurry up and release these new tenders nationwide so we can all taste just how good they are because they look amazing!