Skip to Content

Can you ask for drumsticks at KFC?

Many people love the juicy, crispy drumsticks from KFC. The drumsticks have become an iconic menu item at KFC restaurants. But can you specifically ask for drumsticks when placing your order? Let’s take a closer look at whether you can request drumsticks at KFC.

Quick Answer: Yes, You Can Ask for Drumsticks at KFC

The short answer is yes, you are able to ask for drumsticks when ordering your meal at KFC. KFC restaurants prepare batches of different chicken parts like breasts, wings, thighs, legs and of course, drumsticks. While they cannot guarantee drumsticks will be available, you can certainly make the request for drumsticks when ordering your meal.

How KFC Prepares and Sells Chicken

To understand why you can request drumsticks but it is not guaranteed, it helps to know a bit about how KFC prepares and sells their chicken:

  • KFC restaurants get shipments of fresh, raw chicken several times per week. This includes whole chickens as well as separated parts like breasts, legs, thighs, wings and drumsticks.
  • Employees bread, fry and spice the chicken according to KFC’s original recipe. The chicken parts are prepared in batches.
  • As customers order meals, employees take the prepared chicken parts and assemble the meals to order. This is why they cannot guarantee any specific chicken part.
  • Restaurants aim to prepare enough of each chicken part to meet demand. However, some parts are more popular than others.

So while they do their best to accommodate requests, KFC cannot promise drumsticks for every order since they depend on what has already been prepared and what is still available.

Why You Might Want Drumsticks from KFC

There are several reasons you may specifically want to request drumsticks when ordering your KFC chicken:

  • You love the flavor and skin crispiness of the drumsticks
  • You find the drumsticks easier to eat than other parts
  • You want to order a drumstick meal for a child who prefers that part
  • You want to try the drumsticks if you have never had them before

KFC drumsticks simply have a great texture and flavor profile that some people prefer over the other chicken parts. The drumstick is also a convenient handheld size. These are all excellent reasons to ask for drumsticks at KFC.

How to Order Drumsticks at KFC

If you visit a KFC restaurant and want to request drumsticks, here are some tips for ordering:

  • Look at the menu board and see if there is a meal option specifically with drumsticks. Some locations have meals centered around two or three drumsticks.
  • When you place your order, politely ask “May I please have drumsticks with my meal?” Some locations even allow you to request all drumsticks for large bucket meals.
  • Understand if they cannot fulfill your request for drumsticks since they rely on what has already been prepared.
  • If drumsticks are not available, you can ask when they expect to get more drumsticks prepared. You may be able to come back later to order them.

As long as you are polite when requesting drumsticks, KFC team members will do their best to accommodate your order. But also be understanding that they work with the chicken parts already prepared.

Tips for Increasing Your Chances of Getting Drumsticks

Here are some helpful tips to increase your chances of getting drumsticks when you order at KFC:

  • Go at non-peak times. Lunch and dinner rushes make popular items like drumsticks sell out faster.
  • Order a drumstick-focused meal on the menu if available.
  • Ask the team member which meals are most likely to come with drumsticks.
  • Request drumsticks but also have a second preferred chicken part in mind just in case.
  • Be open to getting fewer drumsticks than you hoped if that’s all they have left.

While not a guarantee, following these tips will help raise your chances of getting those delicious drumsticks with your KFC order.

Items You Can Substitute for Drumsticks

If drumsticks are not available during your visit, KFC has other great chicken options to consider ordering instead including:

Chicken Part Description
Chicken Breast Juicy white meat chicken breast fillet
Chicken Wing The drumette and wing flat, great for dipping sauces
Chicken Thigh Tender and flavorful dark meat
Chicken Leg Leg quarter with thigh and drumstick attached

These other chicken parts can make great substitutions in your meal if drumsticks are not available during your visit.

Side Dishes and Extras to Complete Your Meal

In addition to chicken, KFC offers various side dishes and extras you can add to your meal combo:

  • Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
  • Cole Slaw
  • Mac & Cheese
  • Corn
  • Biscuits
  • Cookie

Pairing your chicken with complementary sides and extras is a great way to complete your meal.

KFC Policies on Chicken Part Requests

While you can request drumsticks or any chicken part, KFC does not guarantee every order can be fulfilled exactly as requested. Here are some key policies to be aware of:

  • Chicken is sold based on what parts have already been prepared in the restaurant.
  • Team members will do their best to accommodate requests, but substitutions may be necessary based on availability.
  • Advertised combo meals will include the chicken parts pictured or described, when available.
  • Requests for all drumsticks for a bucket meal may not always be possible.
  • Customers are encouraged to have a second choice chicken part in case the first choice is not available.

KFC team members strive to make customers happy. But their inventory and ability to fulfill requests depends on what chicken has already been prepared versus demand. Being aware of their policies can help manage expectations when ordering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order just drumsticks and no other chicken parts?

Some KFC locations do offer meal options focused on only drumsticks. However, you may not always be able to order a bucket or meal with only drumsticks. It depends on their current inventory and whether they have enough drumsticks prepared versus other parts.

What if I only want flats and no drumsticks?

Since KFC serves whole wings, you cannot request only flats or only drumettes. The two are attached on their wings. So unfortunately you cannot request only flats and avoid the drumsticks when ordering wings.

Can I mix chicken parts in my bucket meal?

Yes, some KFC locations allow you to mix and match chicken parts when ordering a bucket meal. For example, you may be able to order a mix of breasts, thighs and drumsticks. Availability can depend on what they have ready, but you can always request a mix.

If they run out, can I wait for more drumsticks to be cooked?

You may be able to wait if you visit close to a scheduled batch cooking time and they expect to prepare more drumsticks soon. However, KFC cannot hold or reserve chicken that has not been cooked yet. So there is no guarantee more will be available later.

Conclusion

KFC drumsticks are a customer favorite for their juicy, crispy flavor. While KFC cannot promise drumsticks with every order, you are welcome to request them when ordering your meal. Being polite and understanding with your request, along with ordering at slower times, can increase your chances of enjoying those delicious drumsticks. Even if none are available, KFC has plenty of other delicious chicken parts and menu items to enjoy during your visit.