KFC, also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is one of the largest fast food chicken chains in the world. They are famous for their Original Recipe fried chicken, Extra Crispy chicken, chicken tenders, and other fried chicken offerings. However, many customers wonder if KFC has ever offered rotisserie chicken on their menu.
The History of KFC’s Menu
Colonel Harland Sanders opened the first KFC restaurant in 1930 in Corbin, Kentucky. During the early years, Sanders served a variety of menu items including steak, country ham, fried chicken, and homemade pies. The fried chicken quickly became the customer favorite.
In the 1950s, Sanders created his famous Original Recipe seasoned with 11 herbs and spices. This Original Recipe fried chicken put KFC on the map and became their signature menu item. Over the next few decades, KFC focused on variations of fried chicken including Extra Crispy, Hot & Spicy, and popcorn chicken.
In the 1980s and 1990s, KFC expanded their menu beyond fried chicken. They introduced new items like chicken pot pies, chicken strips, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, biscuits, and more side dishes. This helped cement KFC as a one-stop meal destination.
The Addition of Rotisserie Chicken
In the early 1990s, KFC tested adding rotisserie chicken to their menus in select locations. This was part of an effort to diversify their offerings beyond bone-in fried chicken. The rotisserie chicken was seasoned with herbs and spices and rotated on a spit to self-baste while cooking.
The initial test markets for KFC rotisserie chicken included San Diego, CA, Harrisburg, PA, and Wichita, KS. The rotisserie chicken was available as a whole chicken or in quarters dark meat or white meat. It was offered alongside KFC’s core menu items.
However, KFC rotisserie chicken was never rolled out chainwide. It remained a limited-time test offering for only about a year before being removed from menus.
Why KFC Discontinued Rotisserie Chicken
There are a few factors that contributed to KFC deciding not to add rotisserie chicken nationwide:
- Higher costs – Rotisserie chicken was more expensive to produce than KFC’s traditional fried chicken. The rotisseries ovens were an added equipment expense for franchise locations. This cut into profit margins.
- Slower prep time – Cooking rotisserie chicken took longer than frying chicken. The slower speed didn’t align with KFC’s focus on convenience and quick service.
- No compelling difference – According to internal surveys, customers didn’t see a major difference between KFC’s rotisserie chicken and other major chains. It didn’t stand out as unique.
- Limited guest demand – Despite testing for a year, franchises saw only modest interest in rotisserie chicken. Customer counts and sales remained flat, showing weak demand.
KFC also likely realized rotisserie chicken strayed too far from their core brand identity. Fried chicken was what made KFC famous. Focusing on their strengths would better serve them in the long run.
Has KFC Revisited Rotisserie Chicken?
Since discontinuing rotisserie chicken in the early 1990s, KFC has not brought it back in any substantial way. There are no indications of plans to test or add rotisserie chicken again in the future.
KFC has instead focused menu innovation on new flavors of fried chicken and fried chicken sandwiches. Some examples include:
- Nashville Hot Chicken
- Georgia Gold Honey Mustard BBQ Chicken
- Crispy Colonel Sandwich
- Chicken & Waffles
While competitors like Boston Market and grocery stores have found success with rotisserie chicken, it simply doesn’t align with KFC’s brand identity. Colonel Sanders built the business on his secret Original Recipe fried chicken. KFC corporately seems committed to staying true to those roots.
The Verdict on KFC Rotisserie Chicken
In summary, KFC did briefly test rotisserie chicken in the early 1990s. It was available for about a year in limited test markets. However, it was not a nationwide menu offering and was discontinued after poor results.
KFC has focused their menu on fried chicken varieties for over 70 years. Rotisserie chicken does not appear to be in their plans moving forward. While you may find it elsewhere, don’t expect to see rotisserie chicken return to KFC menus anytime soon.
The core of KFC will always be the secret 11 herbs and spices that Colonel Sanders perfected. Fans of the chain can continue to enjoy the finger lickin’ good fried chicken that put KFC on the map.