It’s a recession and folks are looking for all the freebies they can get. So, everyone was all abuzz about the coupon KFC offered last week (via Oprah’s website) for free grilled chicken. I saw the coupon link passed around on Facebook, as well as mentioned by almost everyone on Twitter. Well, KFC really underestimated the desire for free chicken and the power of Oprah. Stores across the country experienced long lines and heavy traffic. Outside a location here in NYC, angry customers were turned away as the restaurant ran low on product. It was rumored that the police were called in to mediate. (You can’t come between New Yorkers and our food.)
KFC is offering rain checks for anyone who printed out the coupon and was turned away. You have to go to a KFC, request the form, fill it out, attach the original coupon…and eventually you’ll get a voucher for some free grilled chicken. It seems like a lot of work on the customer’s part for what was a huge blunder by the fast-food company. Is KFC not aware of how many people watch Oprah? (7.4 million people each day, according to a quick Web search.)
For companies contemplating future promotions, the equation goes something like this:
Free stuff + Oprah = Insane public reaction
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