Free grilled chicken promotion ruffles some feathers on clarkhoward.com

KFC unwittingly struck on a bit of great publicity by delivering customer no service!

The restaurant chain's recent joint promotion with Oprah Winfrey offered online coupons for two pieces of their new grilled chicken, two sides and a biscuit -- absolutely FREE.

KFCs were so overwhelmed with people trying to redeem the coupon that there were widespread shortages of the grilled chicken. That caused some folks to gripe online and the whole episode has since become a viral sensation.

No one would have complained if they had delivered on their initial promise, right? But now everyone in cyberspace knows about KFC's new grilled chicken!

Remember, folks, this is free food. If you were lucky enough to get a coupon, they're still valid through May 15. So why not just try back in a few days when your KFC is restocked with grilled chicken? (Editor's note: No more coupons are available for this promotion.)

This is such a statement about the change in our desire to eat healthier. Even "healthy" meals, however, can really pack on the pounds. Take salad bars as an example. You can get a healthy salad, or you can load up on bacon bits, cheese and fatty dressing and have a heart attack in a salad bowl.

The choice is yours.

What others are saying

SKIP THE CHICKEN JOIN P.E.T.A. INSTEAD
KFC should have known that Oprah is the high queen of the mass media--many people don't know, that homeless shelters watch for this type of offer and down load coupons to give out to shelter recipients.
By HOWARD AND CHRISTIANA HAYES @ 06/25/09 02:33:43 PMreport abuse
FREE KFC-UNFRIED
Yes, KFC was ill-prepared. Yes that are customer NO service, and yes have cheapened their image further.

The customers, however desperate they are to get anything "free" loaded up their cars to get it.
Anytime something "free" is offered, people instantly are in "gimme mode."
Let this be a lesson for "free give-away's" People just want it because it's free, and will do anything to get it.
Remember Denny's customer degrating promotion to wear pink sweats??
People did it!!
By CAB @ 06/03/09 11:49:22 AMreport abuse
KFC
I happened to be watching Oprah when she talked about the FREE grilled chicken, etc. I immediately went to the computer, printed out 2 coupons. The next day I took the coupons to KFC in our small city and redeemed them with no problem. Tasted pretty good, too!!!
By Barbara @ 05/11/09 03:48:06 PMreport abuse
KFC
This is akin to the christmas time crazes, can you say Cabbage Patch dolls? WII? Talking and laughing Elmo? Geez, I would NOT get within 15 miles of a KFC. People are stupid. And for anyone out there who thinks Oprah lacks the power, just watch the show for a month and see what happens when she endorses something, the company can't keep up with the demand, i.e. Amazon's Kindle last October sold out almost immediately and customers had to wait literally months for Amazon to catch up.
By julesverne @ 05/10/09 12:12:08 AMreport abuse
KFC Free Offer
Clark, I think you fell off your pegs if you think the KFC offer is about eating healthy. It's about FREE FOOD!
By Jay Harris @ 05/09/09 06:31:11 PMreport abuse
There was a public announcement on TV last night by a KFC spokesperson who said they will not be honoring the coupon for the free 2 pc. grilled dinner but would trade the coupon for a "raincheck" good for use at a later date - for those who may be interested...It's not worth it to me!
By anonymous @ 05/09/09 04:11:46 PMreport abuse
KFC Coupon
People getting ticked because they can't get a free five buck meal? LOL!!!!!!

What's even funnier are the ones who wait in lines for over an hour to get said meal. That really says a lot about how much we value our time. It's like driving across town to save three cents a gallon on gas. It will take me an extra 15 minutes to do it just to save a half a buck. Hardly worth the drive.

If you really need the free food, by all means, wait and gripe. Otherwise, go to your favorite local eatery and give them your business. I'm sure they will truly appreciate it!
By Rob @ 05/08/09 07:27:24 PMreport abuse
Kentucky Fraud Chicken Oprah Coupon
Here's an email I have sent out to family, friends, and everyone else in my address book, after speaking with the area and regional managers of KFraudChicken. One even admitting that he had not seen such a screw up in his 38 years on the job. Also have posted on FACEBOOK, and cced to local newspapers, radio and youtube responses.\\

-----------------
KFC introduces a new item by 1) advertising on OPRAH, the most widely daily television program in America, 2) offering a downloadable internet coupon for a FREE 2 PIECE DINNER, and 3) during the highest unemployment period in decades. So what happens? Two days after the airing, KFraudC shuts down the promotion, 2 days after the promotion began, and 12 days before the promotion was to end. Why? They, in the words of an area store manager, her area manager, and the regional manager, did not anticipate such a response. I know, I called and spoke to them all.

WHAT??? Reread steps 1-3 above again.

So, how does KFraudC attempt to make amends? By offering the visiting consumer a coupon, which they must MAIL AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE, or complete and return AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE to a local restaurant, and then wait for a replacement coupon to be used later, to be redeemed at a future visit, AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE!

WHAT???

Being in category #3, I welcomed the opportunity to try a new, healthier alternative, at a free price. I drove ACROSS THE COUNTY, only to be turned away, with about a dozen dissatisfied customers. I will no longer be dissatisfied by KFraudC; know why? Because, as I expressed to the area and regional managers, and to the corporation by email, I will no longer be visiting KFC. Reread steps 1-3 again. With this undertaking, there is no excuse for this company not to be adequately prepared. Excuses of fraud? Not my problem...I followed the rules and did what KFraudChicken told me to do. Security is their concern, not mine.

AND GET THIS.... it's not like they ran out of the product. They were more than ample to serve THOSE WHO COULD PAY for the meal !!!

The reason customer service degrades year after year is that we allow it to continue.

Express your concerns... spend your money elsewhere. As for me, I decided to take my dollars to Chick Fil A, where I enjoyed a terrific CharGrilled Chicken.

PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO EVERYONE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK... AND LET'S REBUILD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO THE LEVELS THAT ARE ONCE AGAIN ACCEPTABLE. VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLARS
By Steve @ 05/08/09 05:47:36 PMreport abuse
KFC
i do not believe this about the hacker story it is a cop out and if they could not handle the coupon rip off should have stayed out of their kitchen..i called and the said ok when i arrive story changed ..never will i go there again
By annette wolf @ 05/08/09 04:14:08 PMreport abuse
Be For Real
Didn't KFC know they would be overwhelmed? After all, they promoted the coupons on Oprah not the 10 o'clock news. Don't they still have to honor the coupons anyway?
By anonymous @ 05/08/09 12:48:07 PMreport abuse
Figures!
LOL...all KFC wanted to do was get some serious mileage from their advertising budget. This was nothing more than a publicity stunt, and it will probably backfire. I don't use coupons anymore simply because the merchant gets ticked off when you actually show up with coupon in hand. I went to one restaurant in the 90's with a printed coupon from a local newspaper looking to try something different. Right off, I was asked if I was a "coupon person", and when I answered yes, was given a different, shortened menu, then was actually seated in the back of the restaurant next to the bathrooms, segregated from the rest of the "paying customers." I got up and left without ordering and never went back. Is this how we are repaid for responding to this kind of advertising?

There truly is no free lunch!
By JD @ 05/08/09 12:38:38 PMreport abuse
Clark & Oprah doe it again
Free food and two days worth of sodium in a single serving. Can it get any better than that? Thanks Clark - we all need to eat more crappola like this, especially folks with high blood pressure.
By Fred @ 05/08/09 11:46:07 AMreport abuse
Congrats to KFC
Great promotion! They generated a lot of buzz about a new product, which was exactly what they were looking to accomplish.
By Sgt. Havoc @ 05/08/09 10:29:06 AMreport abuse
heart attack?
Face it folks, I got use to the idea that I might die one day. So I now will live till I die. Nothing like being shot at in combat to make you a realist about death. You are not going to live forever in this world, so have a little fun with the time you have with moderation.
By Grandpa Gene @ 05/08/09 12:21:36 AMreport abuse
KFC Giveaway
I found out from my local KFC that the real problem was tht hackers broke into the KFC site and downloaded the equiv of 2 million free coupons. Thtas the real reason KFC is going to rain checks. You have to fill out a form with the orig printout and send to KFC. There really never is a free lunch.
By Bernie @ 05/07/09 06:02:34 PMreport abuse
Something for nothing
This is just like the Six Flags fiasco when a certain radio station offered a free day there. There was no doubt about what was going to happen. I would not have been caught dead within 10 miles of the park. Won't be near a KFC till after May 15. People go mad when they can get something for nothing.
By me @ 05/07/09 04:19:56 PMreport abuse

SKIP THE CHICKEN JOIN P.E.T.A. INSTEAD

KFC should have known that Oprah is the high queen of the mass media--many people don't know, that homeless shelters watch for this type of offer and down load coupons to give out to shelter recipients.

By HOWARD AND CHRISTIANA HAYES @ 06/25/09 02:33:43 PMreport abuse

FREE KFC-UNFRIED

Yes, KFC was ill-prepared. Yes that are customer NO service, and yes have cheapened their image further.

The customers, however desperate they are to get anything "free" loaded up their cars to get it.
Anytime something "free" is offered, people instantly are in "gimme mode."
Let this be a lesson for "free give-away's" People just want it because it's free, and will do anything to get it.
Remember Denny's customer degrating promotion to wear pink sweats??
People did it!!

By CAB @ 06/03/09 11:49:22 AMreport abuse

KFC

I happened to be watching Oprah when she talked about the FREE grilled chicken, etc. I immediately went to the computer, printed out 2 coupons. The next day I took the coupons to KFC in our small city and redeemed them with no problem. Tasted pretty good, too!!!

By Barbara @ 05/11/09 03:48:06 PMreport abuse

This is akin to the christmas time crazes, can you say Cabbage Patch dolls? WII? Talking and laughing Elmo? Geez, I would NOT get within 15 miles of a KFC. People are stupid. And for anyone out there who thinks Oprah lacks the power, just watch the show for a month and see what happens when she endorses something, the company can't keep up with the demand, i.e. Amazon's Kindle last October sold out almost immediately and customers had to wait literally months for Amazon to catch up.

By julesverne @ 05/10/09 12:12:08 AMreport abuse

KFC Free Offer

Clark, I think you fell off your pegs if you think the KFC offer is about eating healthy. It's about FREE FOOD!

By Jay Harris @ 05/09/09 06:31:11 PMreport abuse

There was a public announcement on TV last night by a KFC spokesperson who said they will not be honoring the coupon for the free 2 pc. grilled dinner but would trade the coupon for a "raincheck" good for use at a later date - for those who may be interested...It's not worth it to me!

By anonymous @ 05/09/09 04:11:46 PMreport abuse

KFC Coupon

People getting ticked because they can't get a free five buck meal? LOL!!!!!!

What's even funnier are the ones who wait in lines for over an hour to get said meal. That really says a lot about how much we value our time. It's like driving across town to save three cents a gallon on gas. It will take me an extra 15 minutes to do it just to save a half a buck. Hardly worth the drive.

If you really need the free food, by all means, wait and gripe. Otherwise, go to your favorite local eatery and give them your business. I'm sure they will truly appreciate it!

By Rob @ 05/08/09 07:27:24 PMreport abuse

Kentucky Fraud Chicken Oprah Coupon

Here's an email I have sent out to family, friends, and everyone else in my address book, after speaking with the area and regional managers of KFraudChicken. One even admitting that he had not seen such a screw up in his 38 years on the job. Also have posted on FACEBOOK, and cced to local newspapers, radio and youtube responses.\\

-----------------
KFC introduces a new item by 1) advertising on OPRAH, the most widely daily television program in America, 2) offering a downloadable internet coupon for a FREE 2 PIECE DINNER, and 3) during the highest unemployment period in decades. So what happens? Two days after the airing, KFraudC shuts down the promotion, 2 days after the promotion began, and 12 days before the promotion was to end. Why? They, in the words of an area store manager, her area manager, and the regional manager, did not anticipate such a response. I know, I called and spoke to them all.

WHAT??? Reread steps 1-3 above again.

So, how does KFraudC attempt to make amends? By offering the visiting consumer a coupon, which they must MAIL AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE, or complete and return AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE to a local restaurant, and then wait for a replacement coupon to be used later, to be redeemed at a future visit, AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE!

WHAT???

Being in category #3, I welcomed the opportunity to try a new, healthier alternative, at a free price. I drove ACROSS THE COUNTY, only to be turned away, with about a dozen dissatisfied customers. I will no longer be dissatisfied by KFraudC; know why? Because, as I expressed to the area and regional managers, and to the corporation by email, I will no longer be visiting KFC. Reread steps 1-3 again. With this undertaking, there is no excuse for this company not to be adequately prepared. Excuses of fraud? Not my problem...I followed the rules and did what KFraudChicken told me to do. Security is their concern, not mine.

AND GET THIS.... it's not like they ran out of the product. They were more than ample to serve THOSE WHO COULD PAY for the meal !!!

The reason customer service degrades year after year is that we allow it to continue.

Express your concerns... spend your money elsewhere. As for me, I decided to take my dollars to Chick Fil A, where I enjoyed a terrific CharGrilled Chicken.

PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO EVERYONE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK... AND LET'S REBUILD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO THE LEVELS THAT ARE ONCE AGAIN ACCEPTABLE. VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLARS

By Steve @ 05/08/09 05:47:36 PMreport abuse

i do not believe this about the hacker story it is a cop out and if they could not handle the coupon rip off should have stayed out of their kitchen..i called and the said ok when i arrive story changed ..never will i go there again

By annette wolf @ 05/08/09 04:14:08 PMreport abuse

Be For Real

Didn't KFC know they would be overwhelmed? After all, they promoted the coupons on Oprah not the 10 o'clock news. Don't they still have to honor the coupons anyway?

By anonymous @ 05/08/09 12:48:07 PMreport abuse

Figures!

LOL...all KFC wanted to do was get some serious mileage from their advertising budget. This was nothing more than a publicity stunt, and it will probably backfire. I don't use coupons anymore simply because the merchant gets ticked off when you actually show up with coupon in hand. I went to one restaurant in the 90's with a printed coupon from a local newspaper looking to try something different. Right off, I was asked if I was a "coupon person", and when I answered yes, was given a different, shortened menu, then was actually seated in the back of the restaurant next to the bathrooms, segregated from the rest of the "paying customers." I got up and left without ordering and never went back. Is this how we are repaid for responding to this kind of advertising?

There truly is no free lunch!

By JD @ 05/08/09 12:38:38 PMreport abuse

Clark & Oprah doe it again

Free food and two days worth of sodium in a single serving. Can it get any better than that? Thanks Clark - we all need to eat more crappola like this, especially folks with high blood pressure.

By Fred @ 05/08/09 11:46:07 AMreport abuse

Congrats to KFC

Great promotion! They generated a lot of buzz about a new product, which was exactly what they were looking to accomplish.

By Sgt. Havoc @ 05/08/09 10:29:06 AMreport abuse

heart attack?

Face it folks, I got use to the idea that I might die one day. So I now will live till I die. Nothing like being shot at in combat to make you a realist about death. You are not going to live forever in this world, so have a little fun with the time you have with moderation.

By Grandpa Gene @ 05/08/09 12:21:36 AMreport abuse

KFC Giveaway

I found out from my local KFC that the real problem was tht hackers broke into the KFC site and downloaded the equiv of 2 million free coupons. Thtas the real reason KFC is going to rain checks. You have to fill out a form with the orig printout and send to KFC. There really never is a free lunch.

By Bernie @ 05/07/09 06:02:34 PMreport abuse

Something for nothing

This is just like the Six Flags fiasco when a certain radio station offered a free day there. There was no doubt about what was going to happen. I would not have been caught dead within 10 miles of the park. Won't be near a KFC till after May 15. People go mad when they can get something for nothing.

By me @ 05/07/09 04:19:56 PMreport abuse

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May 07, 2009 -- Free grilled chicken promotion ruffles some feathers

What others are saying