Did KFC aim too high?

Word of the coupons at Oprah.com/kfc for a free meal has spread like wildfire. In my opinion, Kentucky Fried Chicken should have known that using “The Oprah Winfrey” show, web site or anything affiliated with Oprah mean a huge response.

KFC has been lagging behind other fast-food chains in terms of sales, and apparently it has decided to go for broke. Through Oprah’s site, anyone can download a coupon for a free meal including two pieces of Kentucky Grilled Chicken, two sides and a biscuit. Actually, anyone can download four coupons.

Too much, too soon?

The goal, of course, is to get people hooked on the new product and boost future sales. However, some financial analysts are worried that this giveaway will end up hurting the company. Jay Hancock from The Baltimore Sun says:

History is replete with examples of companies that offered giveaway or discount promotions only to have them become a bit too successful.

Is KFC going to need short-term loans to stay afloat after this giveaway?

A ton of free food, perhaps literally

Add up every household in the U.S. that has a working computer, internet and a printer, subtract vegetarians, a few thousand people in the “other” category and the two people in America who haven’t heard about this, multiply that number by four, and add an additional four per person who uses multiple computers. That’s how many free meals KFC will potentially be giving away before May 19.

In my “professional” opinion, yes, KFC could end up losing a lot of money. Methinks they underestimated the power of Oprah. They also may have overestimated the potential popularity of their Kentucky Grilled Chicken. I have heard mixed reviews.

Maybe not mixed, just lightly tossed

Unfortunately for KFC, the “mixed” reviews I have heard range from “not bad for free food” to “that was awful!” I have heard people express satisfaction with the food, but no one who has said they’ll be going back to make a Kentucky Grilled Chicken purchase any time soon.

KFC is pushing its “new image” hard, and its “Unthink What You Thought About KFC” campaign has spread far and wide thanks to the Oprah Force. However, as long as free stuff is flying around, it’s impossible to tell whether people are buying it.

Does “free stuff” equal “new image”?

KFC has gotten bad press for things ranging from an unhealthy menu to animal cruelty. Kentucky Grilled Chicken is clearly an attempt to fight the “unhealthy” image. You can read nutrition information on the new menu item at oprah.com/kfc while you are waiting for your coupons to print.

But is one menu item enough to completely change people’s minds about KFC? Did they reduce the fat content in the gravy or the biscuits? If they did, I haven’t heard about it. I suppose it’s possible that the Oprah Force could ultimately bring KFC closer to the top of the fast-food chain, but I won’t hold my breath. I’ll take some free mac and cheese with my chicken, though.

Yes, everyone is always suspicious when they hear about a “free lunch,” but if you visit Oprah.com/kfc today or tomorrow, you can get free chicken and sides.

If  you follow the link at Oprah.com/kfc, you can download a coupon that entitles you to a free meal, including two pieces of Kentucky Fried Chicken’s new menu item, Kentucky Grilled Chicken, two sides and a biscuit. That certainly sounds like a recipe for a full stomach to me.

Giving it all away

I have learned from checking Google Trends every day that if Oprah says something, millions (possibly billions) listen. KFC hit a marketing jackpot when Oprah agreed to run their promotion.

That means KFC will be giving away a lot of free chicken. A lot. Of course, normal coupon rules apply: one per person, per visit, etc. However, there does not appear to be a limit to the number of coupons that can be printed.

Media makeover for Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)

At first, KFC will probably lose money because of this promotion. But that’s nothing that some short-term loans can’t fix. This promotion is tied to a campaign to change KFC’s image. If the plan works, KFC will have more new customers than it knows what to do with.

When you click on the link at Oprah.com/kfc to download your free chicken coupon, KFC’s new tagline “Unthink What You Though About KFC” pops up above the “print” button. From the free coupon page, there’s also a link to check out nutrition information.

Heading toward healthy

KFC has gotten a lot of bad press in recent years for a myriad of reasons. It has been targeted by animal rights activists who believe the chickens, before they become food at KFC, are treated inhumanely.

It also hasn’t escaped the ongoing effort to expose the fast-food industry as unhealthy. With its new grilled chicken, KFC hopes to appeal to calorie counters. The company says:

“Kentucky Grilled Chicken has fewer calories, fewer fat grams and less sodium than our Original Recipe chicken, all without sacrificing the great taste of KFC.”

Hooray for free stuff

Coupons can be redeemed now through May 19, but not on May 10, Mother’s Day. I guess Oprah doesn’t approve of giving your mom free fast food for Mother’s Day. We hear ya loud and clear, Oprah.

The offer says individuals can only redeem one coupon during offer period. You’ll also need to install a coupon printer on your computer to take advantage of the offer at Oprah.com/kfc. After that, it’s free lunch time!

Colonel Harland David Sanders wasn’t really a colonel. He did serve in the Army, but his career wasn’t in the military. It led to this day… KFC free grilled chicken day.

He knew chicken.

The honorary title “Kentucky Colonel” was bestowed upon him by state Governor Ruby Laffoon for his innovative ways of cooking chicken. He kept “Colonel” for himself. But he didn’t find success overnight. Like many of us, he needed a cash advance and installment loans to get started.

And he knows you like FREE

Monday, April 27 (today) is KFC free grilled chicken day! The recession hits just keep on coming…

Kathrien Ahn blogs for Manolith that every customer who comes in to participating KFC locations is entitled to receive one free piece of KFC’s new Kentucky Grilled chicken. To find the location nearest you, go to KFC.com and enter in your zip code.

What’s nice about this little promotion is that unlike other free food days that various establishments held on tax day, Kentucky Fried Chicken’s recession-busting little handout requires no clip or print coupons. Just show up! A delectable piece of grilled chicken with the Kentucky Colonel’s special blend of secret herbs and spices is waiting for you. And it’s sure to be delicious.

No coupons required

For those of you who study popular culture, Ahn points out that KFC no longer uses the words “Kentucky Fried Chicken” on any of its signage or in any of its advertisements. Did you notice that? Is it that necessary to bend over backward to the America calorie police? Do people think that the chicken is no longer fried? Do health pundits have anything better to do with their time?

Apparently not, and the Kentucky Fried Chicken marketing people have bought into it. Their latest campaign is based upon the idea that you must “Unthink” everything you think you know about Kentucky Fried Chicken. No Original Recipe, no Extra Crispy – they’re all about healthier grilling chicken now. If you can talk yourself into feeling good about going into a Kentucky Fried Chicken and ordering grilled chicken, you need to examine your priorities. I feel this way about people who drink diet soda, too.

It’s free… I won’t quibble too much

Sure, a piece of the new grilled chicken is supposed to have 180 calories and 4 grams of fat, where an Original Recipe piece would have 370 calories and 20 grams of fat… there’s a difference there. But if you’re deeply concerned about healthy food when you walk into a Kentucky FRIED Chicken, you have failed. Go to the grocery store, buy chicken breast and cook it at home. Don’t fry it. You’ll do fine.

But how can you beat a piece of free chicken? Get thee to KFC. The Colonel might scoff at the grill marks, but it will save you money.

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