Mirror Review
October 16, 2026
The American multinational fast food restaurant chain KFC has decided to replace PepsiCo beverages with Coca-Cola products in its U.S. Menu Refresh. The new KFC Coca-Cola partnership, announced on October 15, 2026, will begin the process in its U.S. restaurants in January 2027. KFC expects Coca-Cola products to reach all U.S. locations by spring 2027.
In its official announcement, KFC U.S. President Catherine Tan-Gillespie said the partnership is part of the brand’s effort to strengthen its restaurants and menu offerings and create a more relevant customer experience.
The KFC switch from Pepsi to Coca-Cola applies to U.S. restaurants. This announcement does not confirm a similar change for its international locations.
Why Is KFC Switching From Pepsi to Coke?
KFC says the new KFC Coca-Cola partnership supports its ongoing menu and beverage refresh. KFC describes the beverage partnership as one step in its broader comeback plan. The company has not identified one specific reason for ending its previous U.S. beverage arrangement.
In KFC’s official announcement, KFC U.S. President Catherine Tan-Gillespie said,
‘This partnership is about more than what’s in the cup.’ Catherine continued, ‘It is another step in our work to evolve KFC, strengthen our restaurants, menu offerings and create a more relevant experience for today’s customers.’
The KFC U.S. turnaround strategy includes refreshing the customer experience and evolving its menu and beverage offerings. KFC has positioned its new beverage partner as part of that effort, but it has not announced a specific sales increase or financial target attributable to the partnership.
How Did the KFC Pepsi Partnership Begin?
According to PepsiCo’s historical shareholder information, PepsiCo acquired KFC from RJR Nabisco in October 1986 for approximately $840 million. In 1997, PepsiCo spun off KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell into Tricon Global Restaurants, which later became Yum! Brands.
The KFC Pepsi partnership ending in the United States therefore represents a change in a long-running beverage supplier relationship, not a change in KFC’s ownership.
PepsiCo no longer owns KFC. Yum! Brands owns KFC, and the KFC PepsiCo deal concerns beverage supply rather than restaurant ownership. PepsiCo’s U.S. beverage partnership with Taco Bell is separate from KFC’s decision to work with Coca-Cola.
When Will KFC Switch to Coca-Cola?
KFC will begin its U.S. beverage transition in January 2027 and expects Coca-Cola products to be available in all U.S. restaurants by spring 2027.
The KFC Coca-Cola beverage switch announced on October 15, 2026, applies to the chain’s U.S. restaurants. KFC has not announced the same change for its international restaurants. Customers outside the United States should check their local KFC menus for beverage information.
KFC’s Open House innovation restaurant in McKinney, Texas, has featured iced coffees, boba beverages, and shakes. KFC has not confirmed that every item tested there will join its nationwide menu.
Will KFC Still Sell Pepsi?
Once the transition is complete, Coca-Cola will become the beverage partner for KFC’s U.S. restaurants. KFC’s U.S. beverage change does not mean PepsiCo has lost every restaurant beverage contract connected to Yum! Brands.
Taco Bell continues to list Pepsi products on its U.S. menu, while KFC’s announced change applies to its U.S. restaurants. KFC’s beverage offerings outside the United States may differ according to local arrangements.
What Drinks Will KFC Have in 2027?
KFC expects Coca-Cola products to be available across its U.S. restaurants by spring 2027, but it has not published a complete nationwide menu for the new KFC Coca-Cola partnership. Customers should check local menus for details about the Coca-Cola brands and other drinks available at individual restaurants.
What the KFC Coca-Cola Partnership Means for KFC’s U.S. Strategy
The KFC Coca-Cola partnership gives the chain another way to update the experience customers have at its U.S. restaurants. Beverage choices are one part of a restaurant visit, alongside menu variety, service, and convenience.
KFC is refreshing its beverage offerings as part of its broader effort to improve the customer experience and update its U.S. menu. The rollout will show how the new KFC Coca-Cola Partnership fits into its broader U.S. strategy, although its effect on customer visits and sales remains to be seen.
Gurushanth S Jatti
