A comfort food empire with a couple of questionable plays
KFC has always been the kind of restaurant where comfort food dreams are achieved. From its world-famous fried chicken—prepared with that odd combination of 11 herbs and spices—to mashed potatoes slathered in silky gravy and golden, buttery biscuits, the menu tastes like a hug from grandma’s kitchen.
It has a history of bold menu innovation, like the Famous Bowl—mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, cheese, and crispy chicken nuggets. But it’s also infamous for executing moves that perplex its fans. Take the 2020 “menu simplification”, which eliminated a number of fan favourites in an attempt to sharpen its focus on fried chicken, sandwiches, and tenders.
That downsizing was at the cost of some heavy hitters—most notably, the iconic Famous Bowl with popcorn chicken and, to the horror of spud lovers everywhere, KFC’s Potato Wedges.
The vanishing that inspired a potato revolution
When KFC replaced its delicious Potato Wedges with more slender Secret Recipe Fries in 2020, it wasn’t a menu change—it was a gastronomic betrayal for thousands of devoted fans. These wedges were not fries; they were plump, golden spud heaven, crispy on the outside and soft and airy inside. And to a lot of them, they were the ideal gravy-dipping companion.
The reaction was intense and instantaneous. Twitter, in particular, was filled with indignation and nostalgia. A petition called “Bring Back KFC Potato Wedges” garnered more than 8,100 signatures—proof that this side dish was not a fleeting indulgence but a full-fledged cultural phenomenon.
The long-awaited comeback—with a catch
Last but not least, KFC has listened to the cries (and probably seen the petition). Potato Wedges are returning to KFC restaurants nationwide in a glorious comeback. But there’s one teensy fact that might have you inhale them sooner than you think—they’re back for a limited time only.
This isn’t a tease test market like before, when test runs were pre-sold before they even materialised and vowed their eventual back, hoping to increase demand. This time, they’re in stores across the land starting August 18. Fans can have them as a side with a meal or grab them à la carte for a snack excursion that’ll make your spud-loving heart sing.
And once more, they’re the same thick, golden wedges familiar to us—crunchy on the outside, airy on the inside, and great for dipping in KFC gravy or hot, spicy barbecue sauce.
Not just potatoes—Hot & spicy wings return as well
KFC figured the wedge return deserved some companionship, so it’s adding another fan favorite to the menu: Hot & Spicy Wings. Gone from the menu for nearly two years, these wings are marinated in a spicy seasoning and double hand-breaded in KFC’s secret flour to add extra crunch.
If you like your comfort food with a kick, this is the pairing made in heaven—crunchy wedges on one side, spicy, saucy wings on the other. And yes, KFC is making it easy to match them together with a limited-time-only “Wings and Wedges” combo. Prices and participation will vary depending on where you live, but this much is true: this is the ultimate fried food homecoming.
Why everyone cares so much about potato wedges
To the rest of us, the wedge craze can be an exaggeration—good sense tells us that a potato is a potato, doesn’t it? But to KFC fans, the wedges have always been something more. They were the company’s own unique twist on the fast food potato universe.
While others get thin fries, curly fries, or tater tots, KFC wedges were so thick that one could actually taste the potato inside. These had a homely, homemade feel to them—crunchy edges, soft center, and a seasoning blend that complemented all menu items. Substituting these with thinner fries made KFC look like it was turning into “just another burger chain” to many die-hard fans.
A marketing victory disguised as an old-fashioned gift
Let’s get real—KFC is doing what KFC does. Bringing back the wedges after five years is less about pleasing fans and more about bringing people into stores for a fleeting food frenzy. Scarcity makes for an amazing marketing ploy, and nothing drives a stampede of people ordering like the fear of missing out.
The Hot & Spicy Wings add fuel to the fire, pleasing the potato masses as well as the spice lovers. For those boycotting KFC since 2020 (yes, they exist), this may be the time when they may return for good.
How long will they last?
KFC did not give an ultimate date for the wedges’ run. That’s why if you’re an adamant fan, you might have to go there a couple of times before they become extinct again. Based on how quickly they ran out in pilot stores, it is safe to assume that supplies will not last very long.
If this abbreviated return is a hit—and judging by the hype, it will be—there’s always hope that they may return to roost. After all, KFC has been slowly reversing some of its 2020 menu cutbacks, like reviving the Famous Bowl in new forms.
Grab them while you can
For fast-food fans across the nation, this is not only a menu update—it’s a resurrection of a slice of fried-food history.
Five years of wage deprivation are behind us, but there is not a moment to spare.
Regardless of whether you were among the 8,100 signatures on the petition, whether you still dream of dunking wedges in gravy, or if you’re a latecomer looking to join the party, now is the time.
Just don’t expect to be shocked if there’s a slightly longer than usual line at your local KFC—because when the Colonel does finally deliver the people what they’ve been requesting, the people look hungry.
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