KFC is finally bringing back a long-lost fan favourite item – and you won’t have to wait long to get your hands on it.
The fried chicken giant announced Monday that the beloved side, which vanished from menus five years ago, will return for a limited time.
KFC is bringing back potato wedges after five years away from menus[/caption]
The famous side will be on sale in the USA from August 18[/caption]
Starting August 18, KFC lovers will be able to get the famous potato wedges alongside the Hot & Spicy Wings, which have been missing for two years.
The move is part of what the chain calls its “Kentucky Fried Comeback” – a bid to woo back US diners after years of sluggish sales.
KFC US president Catherine Tan-Gillespie said: “We’re turning feedback into action as we chart our Kentucky Fried Comeback, a bold, brand-wide rally to give people more reasons to fall in love with us all over again.”
The wedges will be available solo, as a swap for other sides, or in a new six-wing combo.
KFC’s Secret Recipe Fries will remain on the menu.
The return was sparked by a sell-out market test in Tampa, Florida, where fans snapped up the potato favourite, proving there’s still major appetite for the chunky fries.
Industry watchers say the move mirrors sister brand Taco Bell’s strategy of resurrecting cult favourites to drive hype.
The chain’s iconic Mexican Pizza, for example, sold 45 million in four months when brought back as a limited-time offer in 2022 before becoming a permanent menu item.
But while KFC hopes nostalgia will boost sales, it’s no guarantee.
The chain has posted flat or negative results every quarter since mid-2023, losing ground to rivals like Raising Cane’s and Wingstop.
KFC has also been rolling out value deals to hook price-sensitive customers and trialling new concepts like Saucy in Florida and Kwench by KFC abroad to test premium drinks and sauces.
The announcement comes as the chain faces a storm over a leaked picture of a policy change that had diners fearing longer wait times and worse service.
A Reddit post by a KFC worker claimed the chain had scrapped refunds in favor of a “make it right” promise, sparking outrage from customers who worried staff would have “permission to mess up orders with no repercussions.”
One furious poster said: “KFC in my area is really, really bad… It’s like they eff up every order on purpose, as a game.”
Another added: “Customer service in the USA went from the best in the world to the equivalent of a third world country in less than a decade.”
Others defended the change, saying too many customers demanded refunds without cause.
One wrote: “On the flip side of this people are extremely entitled… If we refunded every time someone demands a refund we would not be in business.”
KFC told The U.S. Sun: “Our ‘Make It Right’ policy centers around identifying solutions for guest concerns, including remaking menu items when appropriate. KFC does not have a restaurant-wide policy prohibiting guest refunds.”
Fast Food meal deals
Here are some of the current value meals offered by popular fast food joints.
Taco Bell’s $7 Luxe Cravings Box:
- Chalupa Supreme
- Beefy Five-Layer Burrito
- Double Stacked Taco
- Chips and nacho cheese sauce
- Medium drink
McDonald’s $5 Meal Deal:
- McDouble or McChicken sandwich
- Four-piece Chicken McNuggets
- Small fries
- Small soft drink
Wendy’s $5 Biggie Bag:
- Junior Bacon Cheeseburger or Crispy Chicken Sandwich
- Four-piece chicken nuggets
- Junior fries
- Small soft drink
Burger King’s $5 Your Way Meal:
- Whopper Junior, Chicken Junior, or Bacon Cheeseburger
- Fries
- Four-piece chicken nuggets
- Soft drink
