KFC coupon customers ask: Where’s the chicken?
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Customers at a New York City KFC hoping to redeem coupons for a free meal were disgruntled when the fast-food restaurant ran out of its new grilled chicken, but Internet rumors of a riot were unfounded, a Kentucky Fried Chicken spokeswoman said Wednesday.
“Some customers were upset because they couldn’t get their chicken, but there was no riot,” said Laurie Schalow.
Schalow said the Manhattan restaurant on East 42nd Street plans to begin honoring the coupons again Thursday after it resupplies the kitchen.
The coupons were available on Oprah.com for 24 hours beginning Tuesday after Oprah announced the meal promotion on her show. Each downloadable coupon can be redeemed for two pieces of grilled chicken, two individual sides and a biscuit.
KFC, owned by Louisville, Ky.-based Yum Brands Inc., introduced its new Kentucky Grilled Chicken about three weeks ago. The new menu item is being touted as lower in fat, calories and sodium than the traditional deep-fried chicken for which KFC is known the world over. It even has it’s own secret recipe, kept under lock and key near the original 11 herbs and spices recipe for fried chicken created by KFC founder Colonel Harland Sanders.
Schalow said the grilled chicken has been a huge success, and the combination of a bad economy and Oprah’s popularity created a “perfect storm.”
“We prepared for it,” Schalow said, noting that a KFC restaurant can only serve so many people during the lunch and dinner hours. “We didn’t prepare for this extreme.”
But Schalow said customers have until May 19th to redeem their coupons, Mother’s Day excluded, and she encouraged the public to return later.
A spokewoman for Oprah’s Harpo Productions in Chicago said they are not aware of any problems with the coupons.
Schalow said KFC restaurants across the United States were bustling on Wednesday because of the coupon offer.
“A lot of restaurants experienced very, very heavy traffic with people trying to redeem the coupons.” she said, though KFC headquarters did not hear of any other problems with customers other than the those at the New York City franchise. “All stores are very busy today, very long lines, that’s what we’re hearing.”
Schalow said some KFC stores may have run out of some products, such as mashed potatoes and gravy or cole slaw, “but they are substituting as best they can.”
_____
Associated Press Writer Caryn Rousseau in Chicago contributed to this report.
Related News
Wal-Mart agrees to pay Mass. $3M to settle claims it shortchanged workers on meal breaksSeptember 24th, 2009 Wal-Mart to pay Mass. $3M to settle meals claimsBOSTON — The Massachusetts attorney general says Wal-Mart has agreed to pay $3 million to settle complaints that it didn't give some employees proper meal breaks.
Oprah Winfrey, who campaigned for Obama, says she's now on the sidelines in politicsSeptember 14th, 2009 Winfrey on politics: I did my part for changeTORONTO — Oprah Winfrey may have been instrumental in getting Barack Obama elected president, but now claims she's on the sidelines. "I have not said one thing about this political situation and don't intend to," Winfrey said.
Butt out of Central Park _ NYC wants to make parks smoke-freeSeptember 14th, 2009 NYC wants to make parks smoke-freeNEW YORK — New York City's famous parks may be going smoke-free. The city's health commissioner says the next goal in Mayor Michael Bloomberg's anti-tobacco crusade is to ban smoking at city parks and beaches.
Winfrey to tape show in downtown Chicago closing parts of Michigan Ave.; show open to publicSeptember 1st, 2009 Chicago's Michigan Ave. to close for Winfrey showCHICAGO — Oprah Winfrey is bringing her show to the streets of downtown Chicago next week.
Starbucks Free Pastry Coupon hereJuly 21st, 2009 Starbucks is giving away free pastries today (July 21st) until 10:30am You will still have to buy a coffee but the pastry is free will a coupon (here). The coupon is good until pastries run out or it is over 10:30 am.
Suzlon to raise $200 mn from overseasJuly 21st, 2009 MUMBAI - Wind energy major Suzlon will raise $201.91 million by issuing global depository receipts (GDR) and zero coupon convertible bonds, the company said Tuesday. In a statement, Suzlon said it planned to raise $108 million through the global depository receipt route comprising 14,600,000 shares at $7.4 per unit.
Simon Cowell tells Oprah Winfrey he thinks Adam Lambert will be next American IdolMay 12th, 2009 Simon Cowell: Adam Lambert will win 'Idol'CHICAGO — "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell says he thinks Adam Lambert will win this season of the popular Fox singing competition show. Cowell told Oprah Winfrey on Monday's episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" that his money is on Lambert because the contestant is fearless, unique and "he's got swagger."
Winfrey also featured Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle, who is competing on "Britain's Got Talent." Boyle told Winfrey she's "loving every second" of her newfound fame.
Elizabeth Edwards tells Oprah Winfrey rebuilding trust after husband's affair is slow processMay 9th, 2009 Elizabeth Edwards: Rebuilding trust a slow processCHICAGO — Elizabeth Edwards says rebuilding trust with her husband after his admitted affair is "a slow process."
The wife of former U.S. Sen. John Edwards spoke during an during an interview aired Thursday on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." She discussed her husband's infidelity, her struggle with terminal cancer and her new memoir detailing how she has coped with both.
KFC offers rain checks on free meal coupon Oprah promoted after customers flood storesMay 8th, 2009 KFC offers rain checks on coupon Oprah promotedLOUISVILLE, Ky. — Memo to KFC: never underestimate the power of Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah Winfrey cancels Columbine anniversary program, says it focused too much on killersApril 20th, 2009 Winfrey cancels program on Columbine anniversaryCHICAGO — Oprah Winfrey has canceled an episode of her talk show that was to mark the 10th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre, saying it focused too much on the killers. The episode titled "10 Years Later: The Truth about Columbine" was to air Monday, the anniversary of the massacre in Littleton, Colo., that killed 12 students and a teacher.
Oprah's school lands in second sex scandal in 2 yearsMarch 31st, 2009 NEW YORK - Oprah Winfrey's girls-only boarding school in South Africa has landed in another sex scandal in less than two years. Seven students at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls now face suspension after being accused of sexually harassing their fellow pupils.
Oprah Winfrey's cocker spaniel puppy Ivan diesMarch 19th, 2009 NEW YORK - Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey is mourning the loss of one of her newly adopted pooches, Ivan. She recently took in two cocker spaniel puppies Ivan and Sadie from the PAWS Shelter in Chicago, Illinois.
Oprah says Rihanna's low self-esteem made her return to BrownMarch 13th, 2009 NEW YORK - Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has lashed out at Rihanna for reconciling with Chris Brown, who allegedly attacked her, as she feels Rihanna's low self-esteem made her do what she did. Oprah Winfrey dedicated an episode on her show to the victims of domestic violence, while talking about Chris Brown, who allegedly attacked Rihanna and left her with horrific injuries.
Oprah Winfrey warns Rihanna against reconciling with Chris BrownMarch 12th, 2009 NEW YORK - Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey has warned Rihanna against reconciling with Chris Brown. Brown has been charged with two felony charges following his bust-up with the Umbrella hitmaker last month (Feb09).
Weight gain is because of abusing food: OprahJanuary 5th, 2009 NEW YORK - Popular US talk show host Oprah Winfrey has vowed to battle her recent weight gain, saying 'It's about using food - abusing food'. Winfrey, 54, who was recently admitted to a hospital after she weighed more than 90 kilograms, wrote on her official website that it was not about food and dieting.
Loading ...