The beverage joins a list of refreshing PepsiCo drinks already available at KFC. MTN Dew's Sweet Lightningв„ў will be on permanent pour at KFC locations nationwide. 'And like our world-famous fried chicken, Sweet Lightning will keep fans coming back for more.' 'With the addition of Sweet Lightning, we now have a drink that is as unique to KFC as the Colonel's secret blend of 11 herbs and spices,' said Andrea Zahumensky, chief marketing officer, KFC U.S. Original Recipe is a KFC brand staple, and the innovation experts for each brand wanted to create a beverage that is as unique as the fried chicken it was created to complement. Sweet Lightning was developed in partnership with the food and beverage innovation experts at KFC and MTN DEW to create the perfect pairing for KFC's Original Recipe fried chicken. 'To come together on an exclusive product вЂ“ Sweet Lightning вЂ“ is a thrill, and we look forward to delighting our customers' taste buds and pushing the envelope on creativity.' 'Like KFC, MTN DEW is inspired by bold ideas and flavors, making this an authentic relationship from the start,' said Nicole Portwood, vice president of marketing, MTN DEW. For DEW, this is only the second time the brand has partnered with a quick-service restaurant вЂ“ the first being the hugely successful Baja Blast which debuted at KFC's sister restaurant, Taco Bell, nearly a decade-and-a-half ago. MTN DEW Sweet Lightning is the first exclusive beverage to be offered at KFC. How did it go down? With a 'glass is always full' swagger, Sweet strolls into Colonel Sanders' office with his Southern charm and wins him over quicker than a bolt of lightning could strike! The Colonel and Sweet shook on it, agreeing that Sweet Lightning would not be served in any other restaurant, and one sweet deal was struck.

A fried chicken and waffles LTO that debuted in November quickly sold out, and was successful enough that KFC quickly resurrected the deal in March, as reported in Restaurant Business.He's the MTN DEW pitchman who is sweet, smooth and lightning-fast enough to become a mainstay at KFC, where the food is finger lickin' good. Last April, the company rolled out a well-received Crispy Colonel breaded chicken sandwich, ramping up competition with fast-food peers like Chick-fil-A and McDonald's. KFC has recently scored some hits through the introduction of both limited-time offerings (LTOs) and permanent menu additions. KFC put Sanders back at the center of its marketing in 2015 and has since tapped a variety of celebrities and even computer-generated influencers to portray the character and tout new menu items. One way KFC might be able to draw interest to the curiously flavored beverage is by tying the launch to its broader brand narrative around Colonel Sanders and the various iterations the mascot has taken over the years.

Sweet Lightning will also be a permanent staple at KFC moving forward, the company said, signaling confidence in the product. KFC worked in partnership with the food and beverage innovation team at Mtn Dew to design a drink that would pair well with its signature 11 herbs and spices fried chicken, per the release. Replicating a cult success like Baja Blast can be difficult, however, and consumer perceptions of soda have shifted dramatically since 2004, with many younger demographics like millennials favoring less sweet and more natural beverage alternatives.

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