Classic fast food chicken chain KFC considers itself the leader when it comes to fast food chicken.
But in the past few years, other chains have encroached on KFC’s reign as the chicken king.
And now KFC is getting set to start a food fight with Wendy’s, and they just fired the first shot with one brutal announcement.
Another fast food war is being launched over saucy chicken nuggets
In 2019, a chicken sandwich war broke out between the nation’s fast food chains when Popeye’s launched their chicken sandwich.
Popeye’s chicken sandwich became an overnight sensation and the chain even sold out of it in two weeks.
Chick-fil-A launched an attack against Popeye’s on social media by claiming they were the original chicken sandwich.
Popeye’s fired back and the great chicken sandwich war of 2019 began.
Other fast food competitors rushed to join the battle, with more than 15 chains introducing new or improved chicken sandwiches over the next year.
Now another fast food war could be breaking out.
But this time it’s over saucy chicken nuggets.
Chicken nuggets have become one of the most popular menu items at any fast food restaurant that carries them.
But nugget fans were usually stuck with just one flavor, or if they were lucky, there was also a spicy option.
KFC launches saucy nuggets and Wendy’s responds
And surprisingly, KFC was a latecomer to the chicken nugget craze after putting them on the menu only last year.
Then, in April, the Kentucky-based chain introduced its Saucy Nuggets in five flavors.
And instead of having to dip the nuggets in a sauce, they come tossed in it like boneless wings.
The KFC Saucy Nuggets come in Nashville Hot, Georgia Gold, Sticky Chicky Sweet ‘n Sour Sauce, Honey Sriracha, or Korean BBQ flavors.
Some are making the argument that KFC’s new Saucy Nuggets are simply boneless wings in disguise.
But regardless of what they are called, chicken nugget fans have a choice if they want more options than just plain or spicy.
And that could be a big deal for some nugget consumers.
Technomic’s Flavor Consumer Trend Report found that 34% of consumers consider the available sauces and condiments when picking where to eat.
Wendy’s has now announced they are launching a new line of Saucy Nuggs tossed in one of seven flavors – Honey BBQ, Spicy Honey BBQ, Garlic Parm, Spicy Garlic Parm, Buffalo, Spicy Buffalo, and Spicy Ghost Pepper.
KFC wasn’t going to take this lying down and vowed not to be outdone by Wendy’s in the saucy chicken nuggets fight.
The same day that Wendy’s Saucy Nuggs debuted nationwide, KFC announced it was adding Honey BBQ as a flavor of Saucy Nuggets and promised a “saucy summer.”
And KFC U.S. CMO Nick Chavez suggested that more flavors were on the way.
“In response to requests from our customers, we’re rolling out our popular Honey BBQ sauce on our nuggets. KFC guests have loved our Saucy Nuggets and we’re excited to continue to introduce new flavors into the mix,” Chavez said in a statement. “Our Saucy Nuggets are made the KFC way – starting with our 100% white meat chicken nuggets, hand-breaded by our cooks with our distinctive Original Recipe of 11 herbs and spices and sauced to perfection.”
KFC also took a shot at Chick-fil-A by noting that KFC is open on Sunday and even offers free delivery on the Sabbath.
Saucy chicken nuggets may just have ignited the biggest fast food war since the chicken sandwich war of 2019.
