Call for kinder options on the KFC Menu

KFC is one of the most recognisable fast-food restaurants in Australia but it’s lagging behind its competitors by not offering any plant-based meal items on their menu.

In our Protein Switch report, we evaluated nine major fast-food restaurants in Australia and the plant-based meal options they provide.

Seven of these chains offer a main plant protein option, and we’d like to applaud them for this commitment.

However, one of Australia’s most popular brands fell behind. KFC has over 700 stores across Australia and no plant protein option on their menu. By not offering an ethical option, KFC is denying its customers the choice to opt for a less cruel, healthier and more environmentally friendly alternative.

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KFC is failing its clients and falling behind its competitors

While seven of the nine fast-food outlets evaluated in our Protein Switch report have introduced plant-based options, one of Australia’s most popular brands fell behind. KFC has over 700 stores across Australia and no plant protein option on their menu. By not offering an ethical option, KFC is denying its customers the choice to opt for a less cruel, healthier and more environmentally friendly alternative.

Australians deserve better access to ethical eating and that starts with big brands like KFC. By providing its customers with a kinder plant-based option, KFC would actively contribute to helping the country diversify its protein supply – lowering our reliance on factory farms and preventing cruelty.

With no permanent plant-based main meal menu items, KFC is failing its customers. And ultimately, it risks falling behind its competitors. Call on KFC to add plant-based meal options to their menu today.

How does KFC rank against competitors?

Smoking power plant and crops. Credit: Jplenio / Pixabay

Read the study

KFC must make responsible eating more accessible

75% of Australians regularly eat fast-food. A recent survey by World Animal Protection found that more than 60% of those surveyed felt it was important for fast-food outlets to offer plant-based menu items. We also know from recent government studies that a growing number of people, particularly younger generations, are concerned about the consumption of meat products. So why is KFC Australia failing to give people plant-based options on their menu?

Many of the meat products in fast-food supply chains come from intensive factory farming systems. Factory farms threaten the health of animals, people and the environment. They are notorious for raising animals in incredibly low welfare conditions. Chickens are tightly packed with more than 40,000 birds housed in a single shed. As the chickens grow larger, they face restrictions on their ability to express natural behaviours such as roaming around and flapping their wings.

Plant-based chicken burger. Credit: Sockagphoto/Shutterstock

By adding plant-based meals to its menu, KFC could broaden its options and make it easier for plant-based eaters and flexitarians to dine at its restaurants. It would also make responsible eating more accessible – and expose more people to delicious yet kinder meal options.