Canadian pork market is changing: no more bacon at KFC

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), a leading global fast food chain, will no longer serve pork in its Canadian restaurants. It will also replace all of its chicken with halal chicken, a category of meat slaughtered according to Muslim religious practices.

In a letter to restaurant franchise owners sent in May but only recently made public, KFC Canada executives did not address the issue of removing bacon from their menu, but stressed that switching to halal chicken offers “more diverse and inclusive options.”

Negative consumer reaction

Many consumers disagree with the idea that this move makes the chain more inclusive. One person noted on X (formerly Twitter) that with these menu changes, “KFC will soon no longer be a diverse brand.”

On social media, people called on KFC to reverse its decision, noting that “the vocal minority is now dictating policy.” About 5% of Canada’s population is Muslim. There have also been calls to boycott KFC.

KFC has offered several pork sandwiches, including a “premium” bacon and cheese chicken sandwich launching in 2023. It has also offered the “Double Down,” which features cheese, bacon and gravy between two fried chicken patties, in select countries for limited periods.

Changes to the Maple Leaf

In Canada, Maple Leaf Foods, a major integrated meat processing company, has announced plans to spin off its pork operations into a new publicly traded company. The spin-off is expected to be completed in 2025.

President and CEO Curtis Frank explained that “as separate businesses, Maple Leaf Foods and the new pork business will each have exciting opportunities, a heightened focus on execution with their own dedicated management team, and the financial independence to pursue their own value creation strategies, all with an uncompromising commitment to safety and sustainability.”

Maple Leaf Foods will retain a 19.9% ​​stake in the new pork business.

Evergreen Pork Supply Agreement

“The two companies will enter into a permanent pork supply agreement that will create value for both companies while allowing them to pursue their individual value creation opportunities,” Frank said, adding, “Under this agreement, the new pork business will continue to provide Maple Leaf Foods with a secure supply of high-quality, sustainable pork at market prices to meet the needs of its prepared meals business, providing the new pork business with a strong anchor customer while allowing it to grow its already significant business with customers around the world.”

Maple Leaf Foods will in turn provide the new pork company with brokerage services in North America, as well as certain other services.