Is Mountain Dew Sweet Lightning being discontinued?

It is expected to leave KFC with the other Pepsi drinks. PepsiCo has not said whether it will sell Sweet Lightning anywhere else.

When does KFC stop serving Pepsi?

The switch starts in January 2027 and should finish by spring 2027. Timing varies by restaurant.

Why is KFC dropping Pepsi?

KFC says it is part of its plan to evolve the brand and offer more drink options. Pepsi had been its US partner for about 40 years.

Is Taco Bell switching to Coke too?

No. PepsiCo says it recently renewed its agreement covering Taco Bell.

KFC Is Switching From Pepsi to Coca-Cola: When, Why and What Happens to Sweet Lightning

Q: Is KFC switching to Coca-Cola?

Yes. KFC’s US restaurants start moving from Pepsi to Coca-Cola in January 2027, with all US restaurants expected to serve Coca-Cola by spring 2027.

Short answer: KFC announced on October 15, 2026, that its US restaurants will switch from Pepsi to Coca-Cola drinks. The change starts in January 2027, and Coca-Cola is expected at all of KFC's roughly 3,700 US restaurants by spring 2027. Pepsi drinks, including the KFC-exclusive Mountain Dew Sweet Lightning, are expected to leave KFC as part of the switch.

KFC restaurant exterior with the Colonel sign

Photo: KFC

When is KFC switching to Coca-Cola?

Date	What happens
October 15, 2026	KFC and Coca-Cola announce the deal
January 2027	KFC starts moving US restaurants to Coca-Cola drinks
Spring 2027	Coca-Cola expected at all US KFC restaurants

Until then, your local KFC still pours Pepsi products.

Is KFC getting rid of Mountain Dew Sweet Lightning?

At KFC, it looks that way. Mountain Dew Sweet Lightning is a peach-and-honey Mountain Dew made only for KFC since 2019. It's a PepsiCo drink, so when Pepsi products leave KFC, Sweet Lightning goes too. Dexerto reports fans could lose it.

That doesn't mean PepsiCo has discontinued it everywhere. PepsiCo hasn't said whether Sweet Lightning will show up anywhere else. Searches for "Mountain Dew Sweet Lightning discontinued" jumped this week after the news.

If it's your favorite: enjoy it at KFC until the switch reaches your restaurant, likely between January and spring 2027.

Why is KFC switching from Pepsi to Coke?

History: PepsiCo bought KFC in 1986 and spun it off in 1997 into what became Yum! Brands. Pepsi stayed KFC's US drink partner for about 40 years
A comeback plan: KFC President Catherine Tan-Gillespie called it "another step in our work to evolve KFC." KFC has been losing diners to Chick-fil-A and Popeyes and has brought back items like potato wedges and popcorn chicken
More drinks: KFC says the deal could bring new food-and-drink combos. Its new prototype restaurant in McKinney, Texas, already serves lemonades, boba refreshers and Krunch shakes

Reuters reports Bank of America analysts estimate PepsiCo could lose about $500 million a year in sales.

Does this affect Taco Bell or KFC outside the US?

No. PepsiCo says it recently renewed its deals covering Taco Bell and KFC's international restaurants. Only KFC in the US is switching.

What drinks will KFC have?

KFC hasn't published its full Coca-Cola lineup. Coca-Cola's fountain drinks typically include Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero Sugar and Sprite, but KFC hasn't confirmed which ones each restaurant will carry. We'll update this page when it does.