KFC doubles on new menu items, echoing Taco Bell's playbook

KFC is redouble of innovations in the menus while the chain is committed to becoming a little weird.

Kevin Hochman, president of KFC's US operations, told Business Insider that the channel intended to offer as many "innovations" to the menu in 2019 as in the previous five years. Recent new menu items include original options such as chicken and waffles and Cinnabon cookies.

"There's a leg in this old world of chickens and main dishes … But if we really want to attract a younger client, it can only be fun advertising and fun stunts," he said. Hochman in a recent interview.

"That's really why we said we would double innovation and try to understand how we brought in new recipes at the restaurant," added Hochman.

Read more: KFC Meets Herbal "Meat" Manufacturers While Chains like Burger King and Del Taco Take Vegan Train

Over the past five years, Hochman has helped KFC recover. The chain brought Colonel Sanders back to marketing, launched an initiative to improve the quality of restaurants and began remodeling the premises to make them look more modern. According to Hochman, menu innovation will help accelerate growth over the next five years.

Hochman says that KFC takes into account three main factors when it comes to new menu items. They must be something that people can not get anywhere else, it will probably be collaborations with other major brands (such as the Cinnabon dessert biscuit), and they must be affordable.

"We call it almost an abundant need – we know that they will feel happy and fulfilled, and it will only cost them a single five dollar bill," Hochman said. "It's a tough job."

Hochman says that KFC is inspired by its sister brand, Taco Bell, to create new dishes. Taco Bell is known for its commitment to the dollar menu, combining wacky options with extremely low prices.

"Just when you think they can not be more successful, they do it, right? It's because they are – and our state of mind is the same, that is, we are hungry, "Hochman said. "What's the next step, and how can we do better?" What can we learn from the things we do not do as well so we can lead the brand where it wants? "