ewsba.se
Diners have always turned to fast-food chains for wallet-friendly options, but as the affordability crisis continues, value menus have become increasingly important to consumers.
Value menus are the top factor diners look for when deciding where to eat, a recent YouGov report found. Some 66% of diners say they’d choose a restaurant with a value menu over one with a clean dining area, a healthy menu, or 24-hour service.
We’ve covered the value menu wars pretty extensively here at TheStreet, from the different methods chains such as McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Chipotle are using to the all-new offerings at places like Subway.
The downside to these value menus is that they are typically intended to feed a single diner. Sure, you can get a McDouble for less than $3, but to feed your whole family from the value menu, you’re still spending closer to $20.
Until now. KFC recently announced a brand-new, family-focused value menu that lets you feed the whole crew for just $10.
For several years, KFC has been running its $10 Tuesday promotion, offering diners an eight-piece bucket of drums and thighs for a song.
In May, the chicken chain said it would be evolving the promotion into a “Bucket of the Day” menu, providing affordable family meals five nights a week.
“Figuring out what's for dinner is something everyone deals with," KFC Chief Marketing Officer Melissa Cash said in a statement. "We took what our fans love about $10 Tuesday and expanded it into something bigger — a weekday experience with more options at the same $10 price — so you can switch things up without spending more."
The new $10 Bucket of the Day calendar looks like this:
Monday: 24-piece nuggets with four sauces
Friday: 24-piece nuggets with four sauces Source: KFC
For an additional $5, diners can add two individual sides and two biscuits, and for an additional $10, they can pair the buckets with two large sides and four biscuits.
The menu will be accompanied by two new sauces, Honey Chili Crisp and Jalapeno Ranch, that can be paired with Wednesday’s offering or the also-new Boneless Bucket for One. Ringing in at $7, the individual meal consists of three original recipe tenders, five nuggets, fries, and a medium drink.
KFC is a part of the Yum! Brands restaurant group. All told, the chicken chain is the organization’s largest brand, but its U.S. revenues often trail its international earnings.
At the close of 2025, China and Europe provided the bulk of KFC’s sales, accounting for 26% and 13%, respectively, according to earnings data. The U.S. was tied with Asia for third place at 12%. Of those top four markets, the U.S. was the only one to see a decrease in year-over-year sales.
“We're pleased with the progression in KFC International,” Yum! Brands CEO Chris Turner told investors on an April call, before noting that executives were less excited about KFC U.S.
Krispy Kreme announces new limited-time offer at a pivotal time
76-year-old burger chain takes on McDonald's Happy Meal
Subway makes big menu change diners will love
“[KFC U.S.] is a strategically important business for us,” he continued. “It's our biggest brand. It's our home market in a vibrant chicken market. You know, we've said over the last few years we've been dissatisfied with the trajectory of performance in that business.”
In an effort to make domestic restaurants more profitable, Turner told investors the U.S. team had been working on a host of projects intended to change the chain’s trajectory.
“They have a big pipeline of innovation that they are working,” he said. “To battle for the future consumer, KFC is elevating its menus through high-impact collaborations and innovation and expanding its sauces platform.”
The new Bucket of the Day menu certainly falls under this innovation umbrella, and it seems to be a clear indicator that KFC is hoping value offerings will boost its domestic sales.
Related: Cracker Barrel brings back beloved '90s menu item
This story was originally published by TheStreet on May 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the Restaurants section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.