How KFC turned their worst nightmare into a positive PR! (2024)

FAQs

How KFC turned their worst nightmare into a positive PR!? ›

Apology and Accountability: KFC didn't play the blame game with the chicken suppliers and instead apologized to the customers directly via social media channels and newspapers. Communication: KFC was playing the field in addressing questions and concerns of customers on social media.

The brand also took to social media to engage in some lighthearted repartee with its customers. KFC's Facebook and Twitter feeds became populated with the latest information and were constantly filled with updates including the whereabouts of its chicken deliveries.

As the movement of the delivery trucks to and from the depot remained restricted, a consequential problem occurred – the chicken were spoiling. There had been reports of entire trucks of chicken were put to waste because the temperature regulator in the trailer was set incorrectly, or lack of staff and training.

One of the biggest challenges that KFC faces is increased competition from other fast-food chains. In recent years, many new players have entered the market, offering similar products at lower prices. This has put pressure on KFC to keep its prices competitive while maintaining the quality of its food and service.

KFC has apologised after sending a promotional message to customers in Germany, urging them to commemorate Kristallnacht with cheesy chicken. The Nazi-led series of attacks in the country in 1938 left more than 90 Jewish people dead, and destroyed Jewish-owned businesses and places of worship.

However, the real work happened on Twitter and the rest of the social media platforms. Here, KFC constantly talked about how bad the old fries were (it was getting ready to reveal new fries to the market) and encouraged people on social media to agree and talk about the bad aspects of the old recipe.

Add Hope Worldwide Program

As a global food service company, KFC has activated more than 1.5 million employees, franchisees and volunteers to aid in hunger relief efforts in communities worldwide.

In the ad, KFC said: "A chicken restaurant without any chicken. It's not ideal. "Huge apologies to our customers, especially those who travelled out their way to find we were closed." KFC: How much do we spend on fried chicken?

KFC is getting rid of popcorn chicken, Kentucky fried chicken wings, and chocolate chip cookies. The pare-down is part of an effort to streamline customer experience, a spokesperson told USA Today. The chain is also bringing back its fan favorite bun-less fried chicken sandwich.

KFC popularized chicken in the fast-food industry, diversifying the market by challenging the established dominance of the hamburger. Branding himself "Colonel Sanders", the founder became a prominent figure of American cultural history, and his image remains widely used in KFC advertising.

Who is KFC owned by? ›

Yum! Brands has over 55,000 restaurants in 155 countries and territories operating the Company's restaurant brands – KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit Burger Grill.

A new KFC campaign being run in Canada has sparked a flurry of criticism on Twitter after photos of billboards were deemed racially insensitive. The global restaurant chain has long used its slogan, “It's finger lickin' good,” and in the new advertisem*nt, the company utilizes a witty attempt at proving it.

Colonel Harland Sanders founded the famous brand at the age of 62. Sanders started working several small jobs from a young age in order to make a living.

KFC suspends its 'finger lickin' good' slogan because of coronavirus.

The fast-food brand is saying sorry to all the utensils that get forgotten when people eat its chicken. In the ad, viewers see a range of situations where people forget to use knives and forks with their meals.

KFC Malaysia has temporarily closed some outlets in the country amid calls to boycott the chain over Israel's war in Gaza. KFC is among a number of Western brands in Malaysia, where more than 60 percent of the population is Muslim, that have been subject to boycott calls over their perceived links to Israel.

KFC uses different types of promotional strategies to reach its target audience such as television, radio, print, and online advertising to promote its delicious products. The brand also sponsors sporting events and other cultural events to generate awareness of its brand.

KFC employs a blend of traditional and modern marketing strategies to connect with its audience across different platforms. This includes engaging in digital marketing efforts through social media, search engine marketing, and content marketing to interact with customers online.

Public relations often boils down maintaining the image of a company, individual, or brand. Public relations creates media, connects with external media, crafts public opinion, and ensures customers have a positive disposition towards the company's brand.

Segmentation and Target Market

KFC started with an undifferentiated targeting strategy, offering the same menu and experience across locations. But currently being a global brand the company has employed a localisation strategy, adapting its menu and offerings to the local culture and tastes of different countries.