UPDATE 1 — KFC signs Coca — Cola on as new beverage partner, ditching PepsiCo

(Rewrites to change sourcing) Oct 15 (Reuters) — Fast-food chain KFC on Thursday signed Coca-Cola as its beverage partner to provide sodas at its US stores, ending a longtime deal with PepsiCo. There are 3,718 KFC locations in the US, according to the company's website. Losing a beverage partnership at the fast-food chain would come as a blow to PepsiCo, which is struggling to improve sales in the country. Coca-Cola products will be available at KFC US restaurants by spring 2027, the company said. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news on Thursday. (Reporting by Juveria Tabassum in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar) ((Juveria.Tabassum@thomsonreuters.com;)