There are many catchy names they could have chosen for the new KFC spin-off restaurant… ‘Saucy!’ isn’t one that would have been at the top of my list. Nevertheless, it does have a comfy ring to it, considering the inherent dipability of Tenders…
Standard footprint of the new KFC Saucy! tenders-focused spinoff resto…
It has all the hallmarks of the Restaurant of the Future, plus a saucy new colour scheme designed to differentiate it from its parent, KFC…
A Resto of the Future…
The overall design concept of Saucy! follows closely the standard ‘Restaurant of the Future’ concept pretty closely. It’s a small store with minimal dine-in seating. And the serving layout is optimized to work with multiple drive-thru lanes and take-out windows. It also ‘integrates advanced tech to streamline operations and cut down wait times’.
“The concept aims to innovate while refining customer and team member experiences,” says KFC US President Tarun Lal, “with plans for gradual expansion based on early learnings.”
The official announcement also describes Saucy! as a ‘flavor-forward dining destination’, and ‘a bold experiment in redefining KFC’s signature flavors for a modern dining experience’.
Ultra-tight menu focus
Another factor that differentiates Saucy from virtually all other Fast Food joints is its ultra-tight menu focus – on Chicken Tenders. I have to admit I’ve always considered the Tender the ideal cut of chicken for all applications. But it might have been purpose-designed for dipping. Which is how I prefer to enjoy it. Though I’ve also perfected recipes for Chicken Tender burritos, wraps and Po Boys…
The menu offers 11 ‘signature’ dipping sauces including: Chimichurri Ranch, Spicy Mango Chutney, and Smokey Bacon Ranch. Sides include like toasted Hawaiian rolls, crinkle-cut fries, and coleslaw.
“Diners can customize their experience with over 4,000 possible flavor combinations and combos starting at $7.99 for three tenders, fries, a toasted roll, a drink, and a dipping sauce,” according to an early review of the début Los Angeles-area location.
“The menu also includes options like the EZ Crispy Sandwich and Spicy Queso Crunch Sandwich, alongside desserts such as Chocolate Mousse Cake and Key Lime Cake. To round it out, Saucy leans into the beverage craze with 11 specialty drinks, featuring Peach-Mango Lemonade, Hot Honey Watermelon Refresher, and Blue Raspberry Freezes.”
My take
The Saucy! concept makes a conscious effort to stand alone, outside the shadow of its parent, KFC. But it nevertheless leverages its heritage, echoing the famous ’11 different herbs and spices’ slogan of the original KFC in its 11-item sauce and specialty-beverage menus… Not exactly subliminal, but far from explicit, nonetheless…
The expressed aims and desires KFC holds for the Saucy! concept, when you add them all up, seem a pretty ambitious package to deliver. A high bar to clear. But they temper their enthusiasm and high hopes with the proviso that Saucy! is a new platform for learning how to ‘do’ the Resto of the Future thing. And the assertion that Saucy! will expand slowly – as they learn more and refine the new concept – suggests that KFC is in for the long haul.
~ Maggie J.