Dive Brief:
- KFC will open a new concept dubbed Saucy by KFC in Orlando, Florida on Monday, according to a press release emailed to Restaurant Dive. The concept will serve 11 new dips and crispy chicken tenders alongside an 11-item beverage menu with teas, freezers and refreshers.
- The chain partnered with Flybuy to deploy various artificial intelligence technologies, including order-ahead pickup, and the tech firm’s proprietary AI-enhanced location engine, according to a press release from Flybuy emailed to Restaurant Dive.
- KFC is the latest chain to launch a secondary concept, with Taco Bell opening its Live Más Cafe earlier this month and McDonald’s slowly growing its spin-off drink-focused concept CosMc’s this year.
Dive Insight:
KFC, which has recently struggled to stand out against other chicken competitors, is testing out a new concept that emphasizes chicken tenders and various dipping sauces.
Diners at Saucy can order sauces individually or in a flight of four with their choice of tenders. These items can come with Hawaiian rolls, crinkle cut fries and coleslaw, the company said. The concept also serves an EZ Crispy Sandwich, Spicy Queso Crunch Sandwich and various combos, such as a three-piece tender combo with toasted roll, fries, medium drink and sauce for $7.99.
The menu also includes desserts like chocolate mousse cake or key lime cake.
In addition to its unique menu, Saucy, in keeping with KFC’s focus on tech, offers various digital ordering options along with back-of-house systems to keep everything running smoothly. Using Flybuy’s tech, Saucy’s staff will receive orders based on the customer location, minutes needed to make the order and pickup channel, to ensure that orders are made fresh, Flybuy said. Flybuy claims that its tech will allow Saucy to have fast speed of service times, high food quality and quick order handoffs.
The restaurant offers drive-thru, mobile order pickup and in-store ordering. Customers can use kiosks for in-store order, and its Saucy app allows a range of personalization.
Take a look below at some of the features customers will find at Saucy.
