KFC is tossing out the chicken bones, literally. The popular fast food joint is gearing to test a slightly more upmarket restaurant concept near its headquarters in Louisville, Ky from next month.
KFC says it's opening a location called "KFC eleven" which is a reference to the 11 herbs and spices that Sanders used in the famous Original Recipe chicken, according to the Associated Press. The store will serve flatbreads with toppings, rice bowls, salads and only boneless pieces of its Original Recipe chicken.
Another noticeable item missing from an average KFC store is the recognizable logo featuring Colonel Sanders. The chain's stores around the world will continue to feature the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
The chains position themselves as offering freshly prepared items that are a notch above traditional fast-food outlets in taste and quality, but more convenient and affordable than casual-dining restaurants, according to Technomic.
A second location in the Louisville area will be rolled out in 3 months time and a few more locations may be opened in other markets within the next year, KFC President John Cywinski said according to the report.
"We're asking ourselves: How do we become more relevant to a younger consumer?" Cywinski said. KFC, he says, also is eager to attract more women - and appeal to a more free-spending demographic.
The store will also look and feel different from its current FKC restaurants that are worldwide. The design is more contemporary inside and out, with more wood and brick. The familiar red-and-white color scheme will be replaced with softer earth tones, Cywinski says.
