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● LIVE Updated 2h ago · 17 sources tracked

KFC to Ditch Pepsi for Coke in Thousands of Restaurants

KFC is ending a nearly 40-year partnership with PepsiCo to name The Coca-Cola Company as its beverage supplier for U.S. locations. The transition will affect 3,700 restaurants, with the rollout of Coca-Cola products beginning in January 2027. The new beverage options are expected to be available across the chain by spring 2027. This shift marks the first time in decades that KFC has moved away from Pepsi products in the United States.

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⚡ Key Developments & Real-Time Context
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  • ✓ KFC is replacing Pepsi with Coca-Cola at 3,700 US restaurants.
  • ✓ The new beverage partnership ends a nearly 40-year relationship with PepsiCo.
  • ✓ Coca-Cola products will begin rolling into U.S. locations in January 2027.
  • ✓ The transition to new drink options will be completed by spring 2027.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 17 independent reporting domains (100% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

The rollout schedule is now specified to begin in January 2027 and conclude by spring 2027 across 3,700 locations.

Live updates

  1. KFC to Replace Pepsi with Coca-Cola at 3,700 US Restaurants

    KFC is ending a nearly 40-year partnership with PepsiCo to name The Coca-Cola Company as its beverage supplier for U.S. locations. The transition will affect 3,700 restaurants, with the rollout of Coca-Cola products beginning in January 2027. The new beverage options are expected to be available across the chain by spring 2027. This shift marks the first time in decades that KFC has moved away from Pepsi products in the United States.

    Why it matters

    KFC is one of the largest sellers of Pepsi among U.S. restaurant chains. Analysts suggest the move puts PepsiCo's broader food service ties under scrutiny. The partnership change follows nearly four decades of exclusivity.

    What is confirmed

    • KFC is replacing Pepsi with Coca-Cola at 3,700 US restaurants.
    • The new beverage partnership ends a nearly 40-year relationship with PepsiCo.
    • Coca-Cola products will begin rolling into U.S. locations in January 2027.
    • The transition to new drink options will be completed by spring 2027.

    What to watch next

    • Financial impact reports regarding PepsiCo's loss of the KFC account
    • Customer response to the beverage change upon the January rollout
    Sources used for this update (22)
    1. finance.yahoo.com — Yahoo Finance - Stock Market Live, Quotes, Business & Finance News
    2. www.marketbeat.com — Top Biotech Stocks To Research - October 14th | MarketBeat
    3. WSJ — Exclusive | KFC Is Moving to Ditch Pepsi for Coke in Thousands of Restaurants
    4. CNBC — KFC to switch to Coca-Cola beverages in U.S. restaurants for the first time in decades
    5. Reuters — KFC picks Coca-Cola as US soda supplier, ditches longtime partner PepsiCo
    6. PR Newswire — TWO SECRET RECIPES, ONE ICONIC PARTNERSHIP: KFC® U.S. ANNOUNCES NEW BEVERAGE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
    7. Bloomberg.com — KFC’s US Locations to Replace PepsiCo Beverages With Coca-Cola
    8. Nation’s Restaurant News — KFC U.S. switches from Pepsi to Coke
    9. Barron's — KFC Is ditching Pepsi. Why It Fell Flat With Investors.
    10. Fox Business — KFC replacing Pepsi with Coca-Cola at 3,700 US restaurants after nearly four decades
    11. Yahoo Finance — PepsiCo just lost KFC to Coca-Cola. Here's how much it could sting financially.
    12. Reuters — KFC switch to Coke puts PepsiCo's food service ties in focus, analysts say
    confidence 100%
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