Over the last few years, fast-food chains have leaned heavily into nostalgia to reach customers who remember menu items from other decades.

McDonald’s  (MCD)  first brought back 1970s-era character Grimace in a viral campaign around a purple milkshake in 2023. It has since tried everything from adult Happy Meals, in which the toy is replaced by collectible figurines of classic McDonaldland characters, to the CosMc drive-by restaurant concept that ultimately folded.

Yum! Brands  (YUM) -owned Taco Bell went in a slightly different direction with a full Decades menu of items that it sold at different points in its history, while Restaurant Brands International  (QSR) ‘s Kentucky Fried Chicken also returned 1990s-era Potato Wedges and Hot & Spicy Wings to its menus last August.

KFC says this sauce “became an obsession”

After what the chain says was an extremely well-received return of the two items, KFC is now bringing back another dish that many longtime fans associated with the 1990s: its Original Honey BBQ sauce that was at one point put on chicken wings. 

This time, it will return drizzled on two pieces of Extra Crispy fried chicken in a combo that also includes a side, biscuit, and medium drink.

“First introduced in the late ’90s, the sauce became an obsession — inspiring petitions, thousands of mentions across social channels, and even copycat recipes from desperate fans,” the fast-food restaurant said of the promotion. 

“Now, the one-of-a-kind sauce is back and bigger than ever — for the first time ever, fans can get their favorite items dunked in the sauce.”

Related: KFC brings back beloved menu item after 5 years

The new item will hit menus on Oct. 6 in what is likely a seasonal rollout meant to test whether sales are strong enough to justify a permanent addition to the menus. 

Its rollout is also timed with a promotion of the Extra Crispy KFC Chicken Sandwich — normally selling for $5 at most locations, it will be available for $3.99 during the fall months during which the sauce is also available.

Like several of KFC’s nostalgic menu items, the Original Honey BBQ sauce had somewhat of a cult following in several online spaces.

The Original Honey BBQ sauce will be featured on pieces of fried chicken and the Extra Crispy chicken sandwich.

Image source: Kentucky Fried Chicken

Fans beg for Original Honey BBQ: “Future generations deserve to experience this”

“Growing up, the Honey BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich from KFC was more than just a meal for me: it was a symbol of joy, comfort and cherished memories,” reads one GoFundMe petition. “I believe that future generations deserve to experience this delight as well.”

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While associated primarily with the 1990s, the Original Honey BBQ sauce has reappeared on KFC menus for brief stretches of time at different points over the last 30 years.

Earlier this year, some locations of the fast-food chain briefly sold chicken wings with the sauce. They also appeared on some menus back in 2023, generating a lot of excitement on various social media platforms. 

Though the exact recipe remains KFC’s proprietary secret, fans who got tired of waiting for a return have repeatedly attempted to recreate it through copycat recipes using a mix of tomato paste, honey, brown sugar, and various spices.

Related: Taco Bell to bring back five favorites after 20 years