KFC's new sauce line includes Chimichurri Ranch and Hot Honey, while its Kwench drink lineup features new shakes and boba drinks.
Every brand wants Gen Z to think it's cool. KFC's design chief thinks that's the wrong goal."It's all about Gen Z, Gen Z, Gen Z," Christophe Poirier, KFC's global chief concept officer, told Business Insider.As KFC rolls out a sweeping global overhaul spanning new menu items, drinks, restaurant designs, and branding, Poirier said the fried chicken chain isn't trying to become a Gen Z brand."Gen Z won't stay Gen Z forever," he said, "At some point, the Gen Zs will be like me."Instead, the goal is to stay relevant across generations. "We need to be in constant evolution to be forever young," Poirier said.The philosophy comes at a pivotal moment for the brand. KFC has spent the past year trying to regain momentum in the US after years of pressure from rivals, including Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane's, and Wingstop.Recent visit trends suggest some progress: KFC has posted positive year-over-year visits-per-location growth nearly every month since August 2025, according to Placer.ai, which attributed gains to menu innovation, value offers, and the return of nostalgic favorites like potato wedges.
