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How is KFC using tech to future-proof their business?
KFC isn’t a brand that has rested on its laurels throughout history. From its early beginnings, the latest tech has been sought to keep them ahead of the game.
Recently, KFC has announced that they are trialing plant-based “chicken” to add to their repertoire of meal options in Atlanta, Georgia.
By working with Beyond Meat, a plant-based protein company, customers will be given the option on a free sample basis to seek their feedback.
They have also experimented with cryptocurrency in recent years. KFC Canada has allowed, since January of last year, customers to buy “The Bitcoin Bucket” via KFC’s website.
KFC’s success is not just about the great quality and flavour of their food. Marketing has been one of their ace cards since the early days of the 1950s. Back in 2017 in a fantastic piece of PR, KFC announced that they’re launching a Chicken Sandwich into space.
But their embrace of technology has been extended to the training of its staff. Tech like voice-activated devices, social media, and VR codes are helping them improve their workforce’s skills.
In China, franchises are also experimenting with facial-recognition to help create “smart restaurants”. The idea is to remember a customer’s previous choices and create personalized options for them when they next visit.
Why did KFC change the name?
Back in 1991, Kentucky Fried Chicken officially rebranded as KFC. But why?
As it turns out the reason was pretty mundane, but there are many theories as to why this happened.
One theory is that there was a problem with the company’s name including the word “chicken”. At the time there were claims that KFC was using “mutant” chemically engineering birds — this was later found to be “fake news”.
Other theories abounded including the company’s desire to remove any reference to the term fried to prevent health-conscious patrons from being put off.
But the real reason is far less dramatic. They simply wanted to shorten the name.
KFC is much faster to say and customers were already using it as shorthand for their brand. However, this still hasn’t stifled other rumours you can find on the net.
We’ll let you decide on what the truth really is. Just remember to apply Occam’s Razor; “the simplest explanation is usually the correct one”.
Why did KFC change
their slogan?
KFC’s famous slogan “It’s Finger-lickin’ good” was first coined by Peter Harman, Sanders’ first franchisee. This, he felt, helped differentiate him from his competitors.
Harman also introduced the now-famous “bucket meal” in the late 1950s.
But, as you are probably aware today, this slogan was abandoned back in 2011 in favour of “So good!”.
The rationale? According to a Telegraph article from the time, KFC wanted to change their marketing to become more health-conscious.
After all, fried food is not the healthiest of dietary choices.
The move was also tandem with some changes to the way they cook and package their food. Moves were made to show calorific information on their packaging and new Brazer options were added to their menu.
This enabled KFC to provide griddled, not fried, food options on their menu. These options include a burger and tortilla-style wraps that contain fewer calories, salt, and fat than KFC’s standard offerings. — Interestingengineering.com (Online).
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