KFC UK & Ireland today announces the nationwide launch of ‘Kwench by KFC’, a new speciality drinks range, as the brand sets its sights on the growing Gen Z drinks market. Following a successful pilot in Manchester, the UK & Ireland will become the first KFC market globally to roll out Kwench across all restaurants in 2026.
Backed by a £38 million investment from KFC and its franchise partners, Kwench is a major step forward for KFC’s drinks offer, responding to the increasing popularity of speciality drinks.
Younger consumers are driving demand for flavoured and functional drinks across different times of day, with more than half of speciality drinks now purchased outside mealtimes. Kwench aims to give people new reasons to visit KFC throughout the day, supporting its ambition to become the fastest-growing restaurant brand for the next generation.
The Kwench range introduces 11 freshly made drinks across four distinctive categories: Krunch Shakes, Boba Refreshers, Sparkling Lemonades and Iced Coffees, with additional new drinks already in the pipeline. With prices starting from £1.99, Kwench offers a broad selection of options designed to be enjoyed as a refreshing treat or paired with KFC’s iconic fried chicken.
The line-up blends fresh fruit-based flavours such as Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade and Cherry Boba Refresher, with iced coffees including Iced Lattes and Mochas, and fresh takes on classic shake flavours: Strawberry Shortcake Krunch, Caramel Krunch and Chocolate Krunch. Just as KFC’s famous fried chicken is freshly hand-breaded in restaurants every day, each Kwench drink is hand-crafted to order by KFC team members.
The national rollout follows a successful pilot in 38 Manchester restaurants in 2025, where consumers responded positively with over 90% saying they “loved” the new drinks and one in two saying they would visit KFC specifically for Kwench. Since the end of the pilot, sales of Kwench have more than doubled, months, highlighting how the range is helping broaden KFC’s appeal beyond its famous fried chicken.
Leo Sloley, strategy and innovation director at KFC UK & Ireland, said: “Bold, trend-led drinks are playing a much bigger role in how Gen Z engage with restaurant brands, which is a huge opportunity for us. Kwench adds something completely fresh to our menu, giving people more reasons to visit KFC beyond our iconic chicken, at different moments throughout the day. Kwench is an important part of our ambition to become the fastest-growing restaurant brand for the next generation, and we can’t wait for our customers to try the range.”
As part of the rollout, KFC restaurants will be fitted with dedicated Kwench counters and branding, giving the new range a bold and visible presence in-restaurant. Select locations will also feature additional Kwench furniture and features to enhance the overall experience. The Kwench rollout is already underway, with the range set to be available in all KFC restaurants nationwide and via delivery partners by summer 2026[2]. Prices start from £1.99, with select Kwench drinks available as part of meal deals and snacking bundles.
