Meatless Fast Food Chicken? KFC Begins Testing Beyond Meat Vegan Fried Chicken

KFC (YUM) might have a new hit for those looking for a tasty eco-friendly meal alternative: meatless fried chicken.

The fast-food chain will offer Beyond Meat plant-based chicken at one KFC location in Smyrna, Georgia, this week, as it seeks to emulate the success of Burger King's meatless Impossible Whopper.

"KFC Beyond Chicken is so delicious, our customers will find it difficult to tell that it's plant-based," said Kevin Hochman, Chief Concept Officer for KFC in the U.S. "I think we've all heard 'it tastes like chicken' – well our customers are going to be amazed and say 'it tastes like Kentucky Fried Chicken!'"

KFC customers at the Georgia location will be offered free samples, with the meatless fried chicken being in two forms: nuggets and boneless wings.

There are currently two companies, Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat, that are trying to dominate the meatless market.

Burger King recently rolled out its meatless Impossible Whopper nationwide, with Subway also introducing its Beyond Meatball Marinara to hundreds of restaurants.

Beyond Meat currently allows customers to buy its meatless products in grocery stores, with Impossible Foods products hitting shelves later this year.

Impossible Foods prefers to just focus on burger patties, while Beyond Meat has sausages, brats and other alternative meat varieties.

Beyond Meats had its IPO earlier this year, with Impossible Foods still pondering when it will go public.

Alternative meats are gaining popularity because they are less harmful to the environment. There is still a debate on whether the meatless products are actually healthier for humans, as they contain some questionable chemical formulas.

KFC is operated by Yum! Brands, which also operates Taco Bell and Pizza Hut.