LOUISVILLE, KY - Watch out "Burger Boys" – KFC® is joining the chicken sandwich war! In September, KFC will introduce a diverse line of freshly made chicken sandwiches that feature premium ingredients, innovative recipes and a variety of flavors and textures.

"KFC is known around the world for its freshly made, high-quality, flavorful chicken. Our challenge was to develop a line of delicious chicken sandwiches of equal quality and taste, yet reflect the needs of consumers today," said Denny Post, KFC Vice President – Concept Innovation. "After more than three years of recipe development, research and evaluation, we developed five delicious sandwiches that met our high standards."

The new chicken sandwich line includes: Tender Roast®, Triple Crunch®, Triple Crunch® Zinger™, Original Recipe® and Honey BBQ. KFC’s new sandwiches are freshly made and served on toasted Pepperidge Farm® buns.

High-Quality Ingredients
The same high quality chicken that KFC demands for its traditional, in-the-bucket offering is used for its new sandwiches. Unlike many processed chicken sandwiches available at hamburger fast-food restaurants, KFC’s chicken sandwiches are made of natural chicken breast filets.

Preparation also plays a crucial role in the development of the new chicken sandwich line. The high quality chicken filets are freshly prepared and have unique cooking and assembly specifications.

Innovative Recipes
KFC created signature sauces to complement the seasonings of each new sandwich. Sauces were developed through extensive testing of various styles of condiments. Focus groups in test markets across the country preferred bolder flavors on all sandwiches.

Tender Roast® -- The Tender Roast® sandwich features a plump and juicy, marinated white meat filet that is slow roasted and topped with shredded lettuce, sliced tomato and a tangy, pepper-herb sauce with a touch of garlic.

Triple Crunch® – The Triple Crunch® sandwich includes three freshly prepared, crispy and juicy white meat chicken strips and a mild and mellow Dijon mayonnaise sauce that was developed to enhance, but not overpower the sandwich. The sandwich is topped with shredded lettuce and sliced tomato.

Triple Crunch® Zinger™ – KFC’s popular Hot Wings® seasoning was the inspiration for the hot Triple Crunch® Zinger™ sandwich. The Triple Crunch® Zinger™ features three freshly prepared, crispy and juicy white meat chicken strips, plus a fiery blend of peppers and spices in a mayonnaise sauce, and is topped with shredded lettuce and sliced tomato.

Original Recipe® – The Original Recipe® sandwich features a juicy white meat filet breaded in the Colonel’s 11 herbs and spices and topped with the Colonel’s flavorful secret recipe mayonnaise sauce. The sandwich is topped with shredded lettuce and sliced tomato.

Honey BBQ – The Honey BBQ sandwich features tender chunks of chicken smothered in KFC’s well-known Honey BBQ sauce. The tangy-sweet, hickory-flavored Honey BBQ sauce was developed through extensive testing of barbecue sauces.

Pepperidge Farm® Buns
KFC’s chicken sandwiches are served on buns developed exclusively for KFC by Pepperidge Farm®. "Consumers are demanding higher quality bread products," Post said. "Specialty bread bakeries are opening nationwide – our bun had to be of the same high quality."

KFC’s sandwich buns are based on an old-fashioned bread recipe, rather than a traditional bun recipe, resulting in a denser, more flavorful bun. The buns are split-top and individually baked for a crustier texture.

All KFC chicken sandwiches feature buns that are toasted to order.

Consumers Crave Chicken
Per capita consumption of chicken is at an all time high. Projected per capita consumption of chicken through the year 2000 is estimated to be 80 pounds per person per year, while per capita consumption of beef is estimated to be 63 pounds per person per year, according to the National Chicken Council and based on USDA statistics. Over the last five years, quick-service restaurants experienced a 6.1 percent average annual growth in chicken eating occasions compared to 2.6 percent average annual growth in the consumption of burgers, according to CREST, a product of the NPD Foodservice Information Group.

The KFC chicken sandwich line will be available in participating restaurants from coast-to-coast on September 19. Prices vary around the country, but generally start at $1.99.

KFC, based in Louisville, Ky., is the world’s most popular chicken restaurant chain specializing in Original Recipe®, Extra Crispy™ , and Colonel’s Crispy Strips® chicken with homestyle sides and five new freshly made chicken sandwiches. Since its founding by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1952, KFC has been serving customers delicious, already-prepared complete family meals at affordable prices. There are more than 10,300 KFC outlets in 83 countries around the world serving nearly 8 million customers each day. KFC is a subsidiary of Tricon, Louisville, Ky. (NYSE:YUM)