KFC Is Launching a Chicken Tenders-Focused Concept Called Saucy — Here's When and Where It Opens The chicken chain is making a strategic pivot towards the growing demand for customizable, sauce-heavy meals.

By Carl Stoffers Edited by Jessica Thomas

Key Takeaways

  • The new concept, Saucy, focuses on chicken tenders and 11 sauces, like Chimichurri Ranch.
  • Saucy aligns with the industry trend of niche concepts, following similar experimental ventures from Taco Bell and McDonald’s.
  • By integrating a nod to its Original Recipe’s 11 herbs and spices into Saucy’s sauce offerings, KFC combines its iconic heritage with innovative, modern flavors.

KFC is shaking up the fast-food landscape by announcing its new chicken tenders-focused concept, Saucy. The chain, long known for its Original Recipe fried chicken, is making a strategic pivot to cater to the growing demand for customizable, sauce-heavy meals. With this move, KFC aims to capture a slice of the fast-food market while reinforcing its position as a leader in chicken innovation.

Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.

"Everyone is obsessed with sauce – more is more," KFC's chief new concept officer, Christophe Poirier, told Nation's Restaurant News (NRN). "With Saucy, we've taken KFC's famous Original Recipe and amplified it with a brand-new concept that lets consumers play with flavor."

Saucy features chicken tenders and 11 sauces — with flavors including Chimichurri Ranch, Jalapeño Pesto Ranch, Spicy Mango Chutney and Sweet Teriyaki, NRN reported. The first location is scheduled to open in Orlando, Florida, on January 10, 2025, making it the debut hub for what the brand describes as a "flavor-forward dining destination."

Saucy joins a wave of similar experiments by major players in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) space. Taco Bell has its Cantinas concept, focusing on elevated menu items and urban-style locations, as well as a new coffee concept, Live Más Café. Meanwhile, McDonald's has been testing a spinoff beverage concept, CosMc's, targeting suburban diners with nostalgic branding and unique menu offerings.

Related: See Who Made This Year's Franchise 500 Hall of Fame

These moves highlight a broader trend in the QSR industry: the pursuit of niche concepts that differentiate brands in an increasingly crowded market. By honing in on specific consumer preferences — like KFC's focus on saucy chicken tenders — brands hope to build loyalty and capture market share in untapped segments.

This approach could be particularly lucrative for KFC. The chicken tenders segment has been growing steadily, with sauces and customization key drivers of consumer satisfaction, Food & Wine recently reported. KFC's deep brand equity and proven innovation ability — seen in past hits like its chicken sandwich and plant-based nuggets — position the chain to succeed with this venture. If the Orlando location proves successful, it could pave the way for a broader rollout, further cementing KFC's place as a frontrunner in chicken-focused fast food.

Related: Greg Flynn Owns 1,245 Restaurants and Makes $2 Billion A Year. Here's How He Did It.

Read More: Nation's Restaurant News

Carl Stoffers

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Business Editor

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Starting a Business

These Yale Students Raised $3 Million in 14 Days to Build Their 'Anti-Facebook' Startup: 'I Can See My Childhood Self Looking Up to Me.'

Two 21-year-old Yale juniors are changing digital networking with Series, an AI-powered platform backed by $3 million in venture capital.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Google Layoffs Affect Hundreds in Division Working on Chrome Browser, Pixel Phones

A Google spokesperson said the move would help Google run more efficiently.

Growing a Business

How I Replaced a $2,000-a-Month SEO Agency and Built My Own Growth System as a Solo Founder

15 proven tactics I used to grow my startup's visibility and backlinks — without writing a single cold email.

Growing a Business

The AI Playbook Billion-Dollar Brands Are Using to Automate & Dominate (And How You Can Too)

AI isn't just a tool — it's replacing entire teams. Learn how top brands use it to run sales, ops and marketing 24/7.

Business News

This Is How Much an iPhone Would Cost If It Were Made in the U.S., According to Analysts

It would take Apple three years to move 10% of its supply chain to the U.S.