KFC, the fast-food giant best known for its fried chicken, is reportedly set to meet suppliers of alternative proteins as it eyes rising demand for non-meat products.

In an interview with Business Insider, a senior KFC executive said his view on whether the foodservice operator would even be interested in discussing options for alternatives to chicken had changed in recent months.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

“If you would have asked me six months ago, I would have said no, to be completely honest with you,” Kevin Hochman, the president of KFC’s business in the US, told Business Insider. “Because, we’re about fried chicken.”

The publication said Hochman had indicated KFC would test a plant-based substitute in the US if consumer demand for alternatives to meat remained for the long term.

“In the last two weeks I’ve made several appointments with some of the big guys, just to figure out — what does alternative protein look like in chicken?” Hochman said. “We’re going to learn more about that … It still feels a little early, but we’re going to learn about it.”

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact