Sweet Fire Chicken is a popular menu item from fast food chain KFC that has developed a cult following over the years. However, in recent months there have been rumors circulating that the Sweet Fire Chicken is being discontinued or could be on the chopping block. As a beloved menu item for many KFC fans, the potential discontinuation of Sweet Fire Chicken has caused quite a stir and left many wondering if the rumors are true.
What is Sweet Fire Chicken?
Sweet Fire Chicken is a KFC menu item that was first introduced in 2019. It consists of the chain’s signature Extra Crispy chicken coated in a sweet and spicy glaze. The glaze contains a blend of honey, chili sauce, and other spices to give it both a sweet heat and sticky texture.
Compared to other KFC chicken offerings, Sweet Fire Chicken stands out for its sauce that adds a flavor profile not found on other KFC menu items. It’s this unique sweet and spicy glaze that has made the Sweet Fire Chicken a favorite among many KFC fans since it launched.
Why do people love Sweet Fire Chicken?
There are several reasons why Sweet Fire Chicken has become so popular:
- The sweet and spicy glaze is a crowd-pleaser – the balance of sweet honey and savory chili sauce gives the chicken a complex, addictive flavor.
- It’s different from other KFC chicken – the glaze sets it apart from KFC’s typical fried chicken.
- Nostalgia – it reminds some fans of a previous KFC menu item called Hot & Spicy Chicken, which was discontinued.
- Unique crunch – the glaze adds stickiness and texture to KFC’s signature Extra Crispy chicken.
For those who love a touch of heat and crave flavors like sweet and savory, Sweet Fire Chicken hits the spot. The combination of tender fried chicken topped with the sweet and spicy glaze is hard for fans to resist.
When did rumors of it being discontinued surface?
Rumblings of Sweet Fire Chicken potentially being discontinued started cropping up in mid-2022. In June 2022, some KFC fans began posting on social media that their local KFC restaurants had stopped carrying Sweet Fire Chicken.
More alarm bells went off when the Sweet Fire Chicken was removed from the menu boards in some KFC locations around the United States. Without any official word from KFC on the status of the menu item, many assumed these signs meant Sweet Fire Chicken was on the way out.
Has KFC responded to rumors of it being discontinued?
With fans speculating on social media about the disappearance of Sweet Fire Chicken in some regions, KFC eventually released an official statement on the menu item in August 2022. A KFC spokesperson acknowledged that Sweet Fire Chicken was starting to run low in supply at some restaurants.
However, KFC stopped short of saying it had been discontinued. The spokesperson indicated Sweet Fire Chicken would still be available at “most restaurants” and that the chain was working to get the item back in stock at all locations.
KFC did not give details about what caused the supply issue or when the product would be fully restocked. But the statement aimed to ease concerns that Sweet Fire Chicken was gone for good.
Is Sweet Fire Chicken currently available nationwide?
Despite KFC’s statement indicating Sweet Fire Chicken is still available, it does appear the menu item is absent from many KFC locations as of October 2022. Searching for the item on KFC’s website shows it is not available to order online from hundreds of KFC restaurants across the country.
On social media, people continue to post in late 2022 about Sweet Fire Chicken being unavailable in their city or town. Reviews on sites like Yelp also document customers showing up to order Sweet Fire Chicken only to be informed their location no longer sells it.
These ongoing reports suggest that while not fully discontinued yet, Sweet Fire Chicken does seem to have been quietly removed from a significant portion of KFC’s restaurants.
Why would KFC discontinue such a popular item?
If Sweet Fire Chicken is on the verge of being removed from KFC’s permanent menu, the big question is why? Why would KFC get rid of an item that has developed such an enthusiastic fan base?
While KFC has not commented specifically, there are some possible reasons a popular limited-time or specialty menu item may be discontinued:
- Lower than expected sales – if an item fails to drive significant sales volume after the initial buzz, it may not be profitable enough to justify keeping on the permanent menu.
- Supply chain issues – limited availability of ingredients or supplier challenges can force a menu item to be pulled.
- Higher costs – increases in costs for ingredients, labor or transportation can make some menu items unprofitable.
- Cannibalization – specialty items may take sales away from core menu items like chicken buckets that restaurants depend on for revenue.
Discontinuing a beloved menu item is always a risky move for a restaurant in terms of public perception. But for various business reasons, KFC may have decided the rewards of Sweet Fire Chicken were no longer worth the costs or effort to keep it available nationwide.
Could Sweet Fire Chicken return in the future?
While its fate seems uncertain, there is a possibility Sweet Fire Chicken could return in some form in the future. When asked if it had been discontinued for good, KFC did not definitively say it was gone forever.
Fast food chains will sometimes bring back popular limited-time offers based on consumer demand. For example, McDonald’s regularly brings back its McRib sandwich for a short time after removing it from menus for months at a time.
If supply chain issues or ingredient costs stabilize, KFC could potentially bring back Sweet Fire Chicken as a promotional item or limited-time offer. The chain may be gauging how much consumer excitement and buzz still remains for Sweet Fire Chicken after some months off the menu.
How are fans reacting to it being potentially discontinued?
Predictably, the apparent removal of Sweet Fire Chicken from so many KFC locations has sparked an outcry from loyal fans on social media. Longtime fans of the menu item are voicing their disappointment and frustration over its unavailability.
Across platforms like Twitter, Reddit, Instagram and Facebook, KFC fans have complained of having to go to great lengths to find a restaurant in their area that still has Sweet Fire Chicken. Some have begged the chain to bring the item back or make it permanent.
Here is a sample of social media reactions:
| Platform | Sample Fan Comments |
|---|---|
| “Noooo Sweet Fire Chicken was the ONLY thing I liked from KFC!” | |
| “This was legit their best chicken sandwich option. If it’s really discontinued for good, I’m disappointed.” | |
| “Bring back the Sweet Fire Chicken!!! It was the best thing on the menu!” | |
| “Sweet Fire Chicken was my go-to order. Really bummed it’s so hard to find now. KFC should make it a permanent menu item!” |
Some fans have even started online petitions calling for KFC to reinstate Sweet Fire Chicken or make it a permanent menu fixture. The level of demand shows just how loved the sweet and spicy menu item became during its relatively short tenure.
What could this mean for the future of KFC’s menu?
The apparent downscaling and potential discontinuation of Sweet Fire Chicken sheds some light on how KFC manages its menu and product pipeline. Specialty offerings like Sweet Fire Chicken likely have a shelf life based on sales and profitability.
While fans may clamor for limited-time items to join the permanent lineup, KFC seems to view them as temporary options to generate buzz. Popular items may reappear for short stints, but likely won’t become mainstays on the menu.
Going forward, patrons may see more specialty chicken items that drive social media chatter and interest for a few months before cycling off. However, KFC’s core menu likely will remain focused around its mainstay fried chicken buckets and basic sides.
KFC is also likely monitoring competitors like Popeyes and Church’s that have found success with their own specialty chicken sandwiches and tenders. The Sweet Fire Chicken may have been an attempt to compete in the spicy chicken sandwich space before KFC moves on to the next novel flavor or menu item.
What options exist for finding Sweet Fire Chicken?
For die-hard fans still chasing the sweet and spicy flavor, there are couple options to still get your hands on Sweet Fire Chicken:
- Check individual locations – An occasional KFC may still have leftover stock or be honoring Sweet Fire Chicken for returning customers. Calling or visiting restaurants directly may turn up a location still selling it.
- Look for limited-time returns – As mentioned, there’s a chance KFC could bring back Sweet Fire Chicken in limited quantities for promotional periods.
- Copycat recipes – Some fans have tried replicating the Sweet Fire glaze at home on fried chicken by mixing honey, hot sauce, brown sugar and spices.
- Petition KFC – Sustained customer feedback has a chance of potentially convincing KFC to bring it back in some capacity.
Is Sweet Fire Chicken coming back in 2023?
Unfortunately, there have not been any definitive signs that Sweet Fire Chicken will return nationwide to KFC menus in 2023. The chain has not hinted at any timeline for its return or addressed the outcry from fans requesting it.
At over 1,100 comments and growing, the Sweet Fire Chicken petition on Change.org illustrates the demand. But KFC has yet to publicly comment on the petition or other fan feedback asking for its reinstatement.
Barring an unexpected announcement in late 2022 or 2023, the odds look low for Sweet Fire Chicken to make a widespread comeback next year. Fans may have to hope for it to return someday down the road in limited quantities.
Conclusion
Sweet Fire Chicken emerging as a beloved new menu item but then suddenly disappearing from most KFCs has been disappointing for fans. Its unique sweet heat flavor earned it a dedicated following seemingly overnight.
For now, Sweet Fire Chicken appears to be on an indefinite hiatus from most or all KFC locations. Whether due to low sales or supply issues, KFC does not seem to view it as a permanent menu fixture. The company has not ruled out bringing it back someday in a limited capacity.
Devoted fans of Sweet Fire Chicken are keeping their fingers crossed for its return. But they may have to continue relying on homemade copycat recipes to get their fix of this elusive sweet and spicy fried chicken.