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KFC grilled chicken, or KGC, coming to O.C.
November 6th, 2008, 6:16 am · 12 Comments · posted by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
Healthier KFC eats, aka Kentucky Grilled Chicken, will arrive in some Orange County restaurants by early February — and no one is more excited than Ed Sheldrake.
“It should have been done five years ago,” said Sheldrake, who operates 14 KFCs in Southern California.
Sheldrake, who has three KFCs in Orange County, said his business has suffered over the years as 
consumers flee to better-for-you fast-food eats.
“All the studies show that people want to eat healthier,” said the O.C. resident, who was forced to close a Brea KFC earlier this year.
Sheldrake confirmed this week that his restaurants will start retrofitting kitchens soon to accommodate new grilling equipment for KGC. The tab: roughly $20,000 per store.
KFC has been testing grilled chicken in several regions for a year — perfecting the recipe on a product that will mark a major shift in strategy for the struggling fried chicken chain.
KFC eateries in San Diego already have the product. Nationwide, all restaurants are expected to have grilled chicken by the end 2009.
So, how does the new chicken taste?
“It tastes pretty good,” said Sheldrake, who also owns Anaheim-based Polly’s Pies.
Still, he’s concerned about the Southern California launch next year. KFC will go up against Costa Mesa-based El Pollo Loco, whose flame-grilled chicken is popular in the region.
“I think we’ll have a tougher time here” compared to other U.S. markets, he said.
My take: Sheldrake makes a good point. The competition in this area, which also includes Chick-fil-A and Charo Chicken, is rough. KGC better taste really good — and it better be offered at a great value. That’s the only way KFC will win the stomachs of diners.
12/11 update: This week, YUM CEO David Novak said KGC will restaurants after the longest market test in KFC history. “This product will be a major transformational product for us, that it’s not the same KFC,” Novak said.
(Photo by AP via International Business Times.)
Related stories:
- KFC launches Snack Wrap copycat
- Two O.C. KFCs forced to close
- El Pollo Loco launches $8.99 family value deal
- Consumers devour fast-food deals amid money woes
- More cheap eats, pastas on tap for Taco Bell and Pizza Hut
- Wienerschnitzel doubles the size of its dog
- LIST: Kids Eat Free ..Find out what SoCal restaurants give kids a break
- Jack in the Box adds two new items to value menu
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- KFC joins cheap eats craze
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Does anyone know what happened to the KFC that used to be at the corner of Bolsa Chica/Warner? It turned into “The Chicken House” overnight, and supposedly, it still sells KFC’s products.
I meant to say, “at the corner of Bolsa Chica/Warner in HB..” Oops.
Ktstar:
I think that was one of two that closed in OC earlier this year:
http://fastfood.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/28/kfc-closes-two-oc-restaurants/1705/
Grilled chicken will be nice but their fried chicken is so so good! The KFC that was on LaPaz in Mission Viejo closed not long ago.
Wow - grilled chicken at KFC - that sure is exciting. Yawn!
I can’t believe KFC is still in business - I mean, fried chicken? Who eats that these days?
Hi Eddie! You’re one of the original OC food heroes! Thanks for all your contributions over the years. Polly’s is still a great place to go for top notch food and service! Even with a crowed marketplace, you’ll get through the downturn with all your loyal customers. My uncle moved from Orange to Hemet, and so he’s able to go to the Polly’s out there. Good luck with the grilled chicken, I’m looking forward to it.
Is In and Out suffering because of an “unhealthy” menu? No.
KFCs problem is not fried chicken, it’s wildly inconsistent quality, even from the same location.
Sometimes KFC chicken is hot, and fresh, and crisp, and juicy. But more often it’s dark, dank, drab, and dry.
Popeyes makes much better chicken and biscuits, make it MUCH more consistently high quality, and they offer better specials.
KFC needs to fix their franchise system and tighten up quality, not add more items to an already confused sloppy menu.
and don’t forget, KFC tried this already! KFC offered rotisserie “healthy” chicken years ago.
I’m still bummed that Sheldrake was forced to close the Brea location. Compared to corporate KFC’s I’ve been in, his far and away had better service!
Over teh past 10 years, he had expanded the parking lot and remodeled the interior. True, the location did not have a drive-thru which probably stopped many from even fconsidering the location.
I’m not sure if it was just his Brea and Yorba Linda locations, or all his franchised KFC locations, but he used to sell a small selection of Polly’s pies at the Brea and Yorba Linda KFC. Much better than KFC greasy Apple Pies. I understoosd from the Brea store manager that they stopped the Polly’s Pies some years ago due to an edict from Yum.
Unfortunately, the location is really small to do much with other than another fast food or other small building that conforms with the zoning of the property.
S
There’s a KFC on Magnolia that actually says “Kentucky Fried Chicken” on the outside.
If my memory serves me right, KFC tried roasted chicken in the 90’s, but It must have been a massive failure because they never tried anything remotely healthy after that.
Yes, the old script of KFC spelled out is starting to reappear which I’m extremely happy about.
The problem with KFC for me is it’s ridiculously expensive. Odd, too, since it’s owned by the same folks as Taco Bell who have the cheapest value menu on the market right now. It’s like they traded value at one for a remodel of stores instead. I just can’t do 7.99 for a 3 piece meal….and why would I when you can get 3 times as much chicken in a dinner combo at Vons, Ralphs or Albertsons for less?
I use to work ar the kfc in brea and let me tel you guys it was an honor working for the sheldrake family they treated all of us like part of their family but i think that if the city would of let eddie put a drive thru they wouldnt been forced to closed it was mostly due to sales thanks eddie don and jimmy u guys r great !!!!