Kentucky Fried Chicken, more commonly known as KFC, is an American fast food restaurant chain that specializes in fried chicken. Founded by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1952, KFC has grown to become one of the largest quick service restaurant chains in the world, with over 24,000 locations globally as of 2020.
KFC is known for its signature fried chicken recipes and sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, biscuits, and gravy. Over the years, KFC has expanded its menu offerings beyond bone-in fried chicken to include other fried chicken formats like chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, and popcorn chicken. Hot wings are a popular bar and snack food consisting of deep-fried chicken wings coated in a spicy sauce, usually including cayenne pepper and other seasonings. With its focus on fried chicken, fans often wonder if KFC sells or has ever sold hot wings alongside its traditional bone-in and extra crispy chicken.
The History of Hot Wings at KFC
KFC first introduced hot wings to its menu in the 1990s. The hot wings were added as a limited-time promotional menu item during a period when the chain was experimenting with new products and trying to compete with other chicken chains like Popeyes.
The original KFC hot wings consisted of whole chicken wings coated in a spicy breading and served with one of a few wing sauce options: Hot and Spicy, Honey BBQ, or Sweet and Spicy. KFC’s hot wings were thus very similar in concept and execution to the typical Buffalo-style hot wings served at sports bars and wing establishments.
The hot wings seemed popular during their short-lived stints on the menu in the ‘90s. However, KFC ultimately decided not to add hot wings to the permanent nationwide menu. After appearing periodically as an LTO (limited-time offering) in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, the hot wings were discontinued altogether by the mid-2000s.
Why KFC Discontinued Hot Wings
There are a few factors that contributed to KFC deciding to get rid of hot wings from its menus:
They didn’t fit KFC’s core menu identity
As a chain known for their signature fried chicken recipes using the whole chicken, hot wings didn’t quite fit into KFC’s brand identity. Boneless chicken tenders made more sense as a faster, on-the-go option suited to KFC’s focus on their core bone-in chicken. Wings were seen as more of a bar food or game day appetizer.
Inconsistent demand and availability issues
As a limited-time menu item, hot wings would generate a spike in demand whenever they came back. KFC likely found it difficult to accurately predict demand and ensure steady inventory when the hot wings did return for short stints. This could lead to shortages or waste.
More popular LTO options
KFC found greater success with other limited-time menu options like popcorn chicken that prove so popular they became permanent additions. The hot wings did not gain the same cult following.
Simplicity and speed of service
Adding hot wings would complicate kitchen operations and slow down service speed with additional fryers needed to handle a separate wing menu. KFC likely didn’t feel the benefits outweighed the costs.
The Return of KFC Hot Wings
In 2021, KFC revived hot wings as a menu item after over a 15 year absence. This time, the wings returned with some tweaks and improvements:
- Kentucky Fried Wings – whole wings fried in the same Original Recipe seasoning as their bone-in chicken
- Nashville Hot Wings – fried wings glazed in a spicy cayenne and brown sugar sauce
- Classic Buffalo Wings – fried wings coated in a classic Buffalo-style cayenne pepper sauce
The revived hot wings are positioned as a more premium, on-trend option compared to typical fried wings. They feature quality ingredients and on-trend flavors like Nashville hot.
KFC also says they have addressed the supply chain and production issues that plagued the ‘90s hot wings launch. The wings are produced at dedicated suppliers and shipped to restaurants pre-sauced to simplify kitchen operations.
The return of hot wings also builds on positive consumer sentiment and appetite for nostalgic KFC menu items, like when KFC brought back Colonel’s chicken sandwich in 2020. Early reviews indicate the new and improved hot wings have been a success.
Are KFC Hot Wings Available Nationwide?
When the hot wings returned in 2021, they were rolled out at select locations as a test run. In early 2022, KFC announced the wings would be launching nationwide across the U.S. for a limited time.
However, the hot wings are not a permanent menu item yet. They are currently listed as a limited-time offering on the KFC website and app menu. Availability may still vary between locations.
Some KFC international markets like the UK and Philippines also brought back hot wings on their menus when the U.S. launched them in 2021. Availability is sporadic though and limited to promotional windows in most overseas markets as well.
Current KFC Hot Wings Details
For their limited return to the menu in 2022, here are the details on KFC’s hot wings:
Price
The hot wings are sold in orders of 6, 12, and 18 pieces with a choice of sauce. Pricing averages around:
- 6 wings: $6
- 12 wings: $12
- 18 wings: $18
Sauces
The three sauce flavors available are:
- Nashville Hot – Spicy cayenne pepper sauce with smoked paprika and brown sugar
- Buffalo – Classic spicy Buffalo-style sauce
- Kentucky Fried Wings – Tosssed in KFC’s signature Original Recipe seasoning
Sizes
The wings come in two sizes:
– Drummettes – The meatier upper wing section
– Middle Flats – The thinner middle wing section
The wings are available in either all drums, all flats, or a mix of drums and flats.
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Drummettes | The upper meaty wing section attached to the drumstick. |
| Middle Flats | The middle flat skinny section of the wing. |
Side Dishes
The wings can be ordered as a meal with a side and biscuit. The available sides are:
- Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
- Coleslaw
- Mac & Cheese
- Green Beans
How Long Will KFC Hot Wings Be Around?
Since the revived hot wings are currently a limited-time menu item, it’s unclear exactly how long they’ll remain available nationwide. The wings first returned in July 2021, then came back for another limited stint in early 2022.
Based on recent LTO history, popular limited releases tend to stay on the KFC menu for 4-6 months at a time before rotating out. KFC also sometimes brings back LTOs for short return windows if they prove successful enough, which may be the case with hot wings.
For now, the hot wings are advertised as limited release through summer 2022. KFC will evaluate performance and feedback to decide if the wings return again later in 2022 or become a permanent addition.
Why KFC Brought Hot Wings Back
There are a few reasons why KFC likely felt the time was right in 2021 to reintroduce hot wings:
Growing competition in the chicken sector
Competition has heated up in the fast food chicken space with challenger brands like Wingstop expanding while chains like McDonald’s test new chicken sandwiches. Bringing back hot wings could help KFC attract wing lovers.
Consumer demand for spicy chicken
Trends like Nashville hot chicken have sparked demand for spicy fried chicken. KFC’s Nashville hot wings fit this spicy flavor profile.
Wings perform well as delivery/takeout items
Takeout and delivery demand has soared during the pandemic. Wings travel well and make a popular to-go order.
Nostalgic novelty to attract customers
KFC likely hoped hot wings would drive traffic and social media buzz by tapping into nostalgia for discontinued vintage menu items.
Outlook for Permanent Hot Wings
Will hot wings remain on the menu for good this time if they continue performing well? KFC management has hinted the goal is to make hot wings permanent if the test phase goes smoothly.
Early signs point to another comeback for hot wings based on positive customer reviews. The more premium positioning and on-trend flavors also better align with KFC’s current brand identity.
However, KFC needs to prove the supply chain is reliable and that hot wings can drive profitable incremental revenue as more than just a short-term buzz generator. Management will also evaluate if operational complexity is manageable across the whole system.
The outlook is favorable, but KFC will likely take a cautious approach relying on extensive testing before committing hot wings to the permanent national menu. A scenario of bringing them back periodically as an LTO is also possible. But with the operational kinks smoothed out, KFC’s latest hot wings revival has a good chance of sticking around this time.
Conclusion
KFC dabbled with hot wings in the 1990s before discontinuing them by the 2000s due to supply and speed of service issues. But with new innovations to solve these problems and capitalize on today’s wing demand, KFC decided the time was right in 2021 to roll out improved hot wings menus nationally.
The return of hot wings allows KFC to compete in the growing wing market against rivals like Wingstop. Updated Kentucky Fried, Nashville Hot, and Buffalo sauce options also position KFC’s wings as a more premium, chef-inspired menu option in keeping with recent brand developments.
KFC’s hot wings are currently advertised as a limited-time offering. However, if the launch proves successful, hot wings could make a permanent comeback to KFC menus nationwide after over a 15 year absence. For nostalgic KFC fans craving those wings from the ’90s again, the long wait may finally be over.