Many foodies love drive-thru chains for a brand’s signature dish — from Culver’s ButterBurger to Taco Bell’s Crunchwrap Supreme — but, as a soda fanatic, my loyalties have always been determined by a chain’s drink options rather than its famous menu items.
Whether it’s a Baja Blast from Taco Bell or a crisp fountain Diet Coke from McDonald’s, the drive-thru has some of the best options for soda lovers, especially as fast food brands expand their drink menus to include dirty sodas, frosted sodas, and proprietary soda flavors.
KFC is beloved for its exclusive Mountain Dew Sweet Lightning flavor, but it may soon disappear from menus, along with many other fan-favorite drink flavors. The chain just announced major plans for its beverage line — and some fans are giving up on the chain for good.
KFC switches to Coca-Cola
All recipes / Getty
Sorry, Pepsi fans. Kentucky Fried Chicken announced this week that all KFC restaurants in the United States will switch from PepsiCo drinks to Coca-Cola drinks in 2027. The swap marks the first time in nearly 40 years that the chain has changed beverage suppliers, according to the restaurant’s press release.
In a statement, KFC U.S. President Catherine Tan-Gillespie said the swap was “a critical step” in the return of Kentucky Fried Chicken. The chain continued to compete with (and fall behind) other major chicken brands like Chick-fil-A and Popeyes, both of which offer Coca-Cola products. “A new beverage offering, with a new partner Coca-Cola, gives us a platform to innovate, respond to changing tastes and give customers more reasons to choose us,” Tan-Gillespie said.
While the news may be a win for Coca-Cola and fried chicken fans, the new deal could signal trouble for PepsiCo. The loss of Pepsi brands at KFC, which has more than 3,700 locations in the United States, could be a setback in cola competition.
“As a loyal Pepsi drinker, I just crossed KFC off my list of places to eat,” someone wrote in an Instagram post about the news. Another soda fan added: “Goodbye KFC, nice to know you.” »
On the other hand, Coca-Cola fans are delighted. “Good! I’ll go back to KFC!” someone commented, before adding that they “hate Pepsi.” Meanwhile, another person called it a “smart decision. I’m going to go to KFC now.”
Despite the change in the United States, PepsiCo will continue its partnership with KFC’s international restaurants. Moreover, Comrade Yum! The Taco Bell chain, owned by Brands, will also maintain its partnerships with PepsiCo. So there is no need to worry about losing Baja Blast. That said, KFC’s exclusive Mountain Dew flavor, Sweet Lightning, could be on the chopping block since the soda brand is owned by PepsiCo. Although KFC didn’t address the fan-favorite flavor in its press release, many Mountain Dew fans are worried about the future of Sweet Lightning, and some are already “devastated.”
“RIP Sweet Lightning. Gonna miss you,” one fan of the peach drink wrote, while another wrote, “I’m so crazy about Sweet Lightning. My all time favorite Mountain Dew.” Other sippers hope the drink moves from drive-thrus to grocery store shelves, commenting, “If this (Mountain) Dew Sweet Lightning doesn’t get bottled, I’m going to be pissed.” »
While the future of Mountain Dew Sweet Lightning remains uncertain, one thing is certain: Coca-Cola fans can officially expect the iconic drink in restaurants nationwide starting early next year.
Gn bussni
