KFC's Georgia Gold Chicken is the chicken chain's twist on
regional mustard-based barbecue sauces, often served on pork in
parts of Georgia and South Carolina. KFC also knows honey mustard
and BBQ are hits with its fans. The chain's two most popular
dipping sauces are BBQ and honey mustard, Mr. Hochman said
Wednesday as he prepared for the product's launch party, fittingly
being held at New York's GoldBar.
KFC, like many other fast feeders, leans on limited-time
products to lure diners. In fact, the latest launch from KFC comes
as Taco Bell, a sibling chain within Yum Brands Inc., will
introduce the Naked Chicken Chalupa, its twist on fried chicken,
Thursday.
![]()
Georgia Gold debuts at KFC Monday, Jan. 30, and will be out of
restaurants on April 23, Mr. Hochman said. KFC is also bringing
back last year's limited-time hit Nashville Hot variety during the
same time.
"Nashville Hot did phenomenally well for us," Mr. Hochman said
of the variety that was promoted by another celebrity colonel,
Vincent Kartheiser.
Mr. Hochman's hopes are even brighter for Georgia Gold, which
was tested in the Pittsburgh and Mobile, Ala., markets.
"It's not a spicy flavor, so it's more broadly appealing. Our
expectations on sales are much higher than they were on Nashville
Hot, and Nashville Hot did quite well for us," he said.
In fact, KFC's same-store sales rose 6% in the third quarter of
2016, the latest period shared with the public by parent Yum Brands Inc.
The Georgia Gold recipe at KFC goes well with chicken and also
keeps the chicken crispy, Mr. Hochman said. The flavors are
familiar but with enough of a twist that patrons will want to try
it, Mr. Hochman said.
After Georgia Gold, KFC is planning a "huge" launch for the end
of April with, of course, another new colonel.
