KFC is undergoing a significant global transformation focusing on enhancing customer experience across its menu and restaurant designs. Key changes include the addition of boneless chicken options, over 20 new sauces, and a new category called 'Dunked' for various sauced chicken items. The beverage menu will also expand with new drinks, including boba refresher and specialty milkshakes. Physical restaurant layouts will be reimagined for better hospitality, beginning with locations in the U.K. and Ireland, followed by Australia and the U.S. This initiative aims to modernize the KFC experience while maintaining its classic branding.

KFC Announces Major Changes To Their Menu And Restaurants

From new sauces and boneless chicken options to redesigned restaurants, KFC is entering a bold new era.

Jessica Safavimehr

Jessica Safavimehr is a writer, editor, and storyteller. Her career spans national media brands, including FANGORIA, House Beautiful, The Knot, Men’s Health, and Esquire, where she has led editorial strategy, launched print revivals, and curated compelling narratives. When she’s not writing, Jessica can be found exploring the Texas Gulf Coast with her husband, three dogs, and a cat, or watching the latest horror flick.

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Published on June 15, 2026

Table with KFC branded packaging including a bucket with Colonel Sanders logo and other food items

Credit: KFC

KFC is making waves with one of its biggest shakeups in decades. The fried chicken chain announced a global transformation touching almost every aspect of the customer experience, from the menu to restaurant design.

The company says the changes are designed to usher in the brand's next chapter while staying true to the legacy that made Colonel Sanders a household name more than 90 years ago.

At the center of the transformation is a renewed focus on boneless chicken. KFC plans to expand its lineup of tenders and other boneless options, paired with a new collection of more than 20 sauces that customers can mix and match. The sauces range from updated takes on familiar favorites to globally inspired flavors, with examples including Chimichurri Ranch and Hot Honey Habanero.

The brand is also introducing a new category called Dunked, featuring tenders, wings, and sandwiches coated in sauce for a bold, flavor-forward experience. The concept has already launched in select international markets and is expected to expand further throughout 2026.

Drinks are getting an upgrade, too. KFC is expanding its beverage platform, KWENCH by KFC, which includes boba refreshers, sparkling lemonades, iced coffees, and specialty milkshakes. The drinks are designed to give customers more reasons to visit throughout the day, whether for a quick treat, snack, or full meal.

Beyond the menu, KFC is reimagining its physical spaces. New restaurant designs will begin appearing this summer, with a focus on hospitality and flexibility. One of the first locations showcasing the updated concept is expected to open in McKinney, Texas, later this summer. Another ambitious two-story restaurant is scheduled to debut in Dubai this fall.

Customers will also notice a refreshed visual identity. KFC is updating some of its most recognizable brand elements, including the iconic bucket and a subtle refresh of the Colonel himself. The updated look will appear across packaging, advertising, digital platforms, and restaurant interiors.

The changes will roll out first in the United Kingdom and Ireland, then expand to Australia, the United States, and other global markets throughout the year. With more than 34,000 restaurants in over 150 countries, KFC says the goal is simple: create a more modern, personalized, and crave-worthy experience while keeping the brand's signature "Finger Lickin' Good" spirit at the heart of everything it does.

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