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Apr-27-2009KFC Giving Away FREE Samples Of Their New Kentucky Grilled Chicken ...(topic overview)
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EL PASO, Texas -- In a tough economy the word free may sound good to some consumers. For those who like chicken, Monday is day to get it free. Kentucky Fried Chicken is giving away free piece of it's new Kentucky Grilled Chicken on Monday April 27. Stores nationwide will participate in the promotional give away, including those stores participating in El Paso and Las Cruces. Company officials are trying to introduce a more health conscious food choice to their menu. [1] Kentucky Fried Chicken has declared Monday as "UnFry Day" and is offering consumers a free piece of its new grilled chicken all day that day, with no purchase necessary. KFC says it is so confident consumers will love the new Kentucky Grilled Chicken (KGC) that it's inviting them to sample the newest menu item for free. There is no purchase necessary to take advantage of this offer, KFC says.[2]
In addition to new print, broadcast and social media programs breaking today across the region, the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain has announced an April 27 " UN Fry Day" at all participating KFC locations to allow customers to sample a piece of new Kentucky Grilled Chicken for free. (Free piece of Kentucky Grilled Chicken offer is valid at participating KFC® restaurants April 27 th only.[3] A separate " UN Think KFC" website ( www.unthinkfc.com ) has been created, and the brand's industry-leading Facebook fan page will be engaged. This week, Kentucky Grilled Chicken was previewed at the landmark Friars Club in New York (unofficially dubbed the " UN Friars Club" for the event), where famous celebrity roasts take place. Another event highlight is the April 27 " UN Fry Day" event which will allow customers throughout Southern California and the country to sample a free piece of Kentucky Grilled Chicken at participating KFC locations.[3] "We expect to give away over 4 million pieces of Kentucky Grilled Chicken on April 27," Schalow says. Franchisees are also jumping on the opportunity to reposition their brand for consumers looking for a balanced meal. Ed Thomas, president of the Southern California KFC Advertising Association and a KFC franchisee, calls his market "ground zero" for the new grilled items.[4] "We're so confident that Southern California KFC fans will love the slow-grilled taste of Kentucky Grilled Chicken, we're giving away four free drumstick and thigh pieces with every eight-piece meal or larger of KFC Original Recipe or Extra Crispy," Thomas says.[4] The grilled chicken will cost the same as Original Recipe chicken. KFC will offer customers a free piece of grilled chicken on April 27 and are estimating that they will give away 4 million pieces on UNFry Day.[5] April 27 is being called "UNFry Day," and stores will give a free piece of grilled chicken to anyone coming by the store that day. They have had non-fried items before, like Tender Roast, Oven Roast, Rotisserie Gold, etc., but they didn't sell well. Apparently, people just don't think "non-fried" when they go to KFC. If they don't sell enough to keep it fresh in restaurants, they'll take this off, too.[6] "Unthink." Well, unthink the fried chicken part and think about its new marinated grilled variety, offered free for the tasting until next Monday (in case you were wondering, also affectionately referred to by the chicken chain as UnFried Day). There are so many things wrong here, but I'll have to begin with the fact that it's one of the clunkiest-sounding theme lines I've heard in a long time. I get that consumers are trying to eat healthier and fast-food chains have had some luck with less greasy food fare, but its KFC people! Fried used to proudly be part of its name! The chain may have whittled its logo down to an acronym, but KFC is still synonymous with the southern fried chicken made famous by Colonel Sanders and his passion for his "secret blend of herbs and spices." With the testimonials of real people and celebrity chefs like G. Garvin and Sandra Lee, the chain wants you to think differently about the way you view its food and consider trying its latest menu addition.[7] Latin-flavored chicken joints are taking on the traditional fried chicken fast fooderies with two new campaigns.'' El Pollo Loco is challenging fried chicken chain KFC to a public taste test with their grilled chicken products, while taco chain Del Taco is lowering prices on its chicken dishes. The new''El Pollo Loco campaign, which begins on Sunday, calls on consumers to do their own taste test and to vote on which fast food chicken they prefer.[8] Kentucky Fried Chicken will give away single pieces of its new grilled chicken on Monday, a day before El Pollo Loco gives away two pieces of its grilled chicken. KFC began selling what is has billed as both "Kentucky Grilled Chicken" and KGC on April 14, what its president, Roger Eaton, called "a defining moment in our brand's storied history."[9]
KFC's account is twitter.com /KFC_colonel and El Pollo Loco's is twitter.com/elpolloloinc. Kentucky Fried Chicken and El Pollo Loco are the latest restaurant chains to offer free food this year.[9]
We've had many discussions on this blog about how our restaurant spending habits have changed because of economic pressures and increased efforts to save money. For more on how the economy is impacting local restaurants and consumers, be sure to read this story in today's Roanoke Times''written by''myself and food writer Lindsey Nair.'' We've detailed how some local eateries are making siginificant changes and offering deals to draw more diners to their restaurants. We also interviewed local consumers about how their dining out habits have changed. In other restaurant news, Kentucky Fried Chicken is making some big changes''to its menu to lift''slowing sales and attract health conscious consumers. The large fast food chicken chain is introducing Kentucky Grilled Chicken at its eateries nationwide. Check out this story for more details. This is a''risky step, since KFC''has built a name''based on its fried chicken.[10] The biggest problem that occurs most frequently for KFC is that people are looking for a non-fried option. This is a quantum problem that we've got a great solution for. We think that this brand, this product will hold up well in this environment. The other thing is the team has done a very good job to think about the challenge of dinner and if you'll notice we're currently launching Kentucky Grilled Chicken with a two piece complete meal offering for $3.99, and people believe this to be a tremendously good value at the low end so we've got a strong low end value. The other thing is is that we've got breakthrough bucket promotions scheduled because now we give the consumer the choice of both fried and grilled products.[11] This week, KFC launched what it hopes will replicate the success of its Original Recipe. It's called Kentucky Grilled Chicken. After undergoing the most thorough testing of any menu item in its history, KFC launched KGC in an attempt to woo health-conscious consumers who shun the fried stuff. "It's going to get people who haven't eaten KFC for a long time to come back into our restaurants," KFC President Roger Eaton told the Associated Press. KFC says each piece of its grilled chicken has 70 to 180 calories and 4 to 9 grams of fat.[12] Enter KFC's newest menu item: Kentucky Grilled Chicken, a healthier alternative to the original recipe. At its 5,000+ restaurants across the country, KFC is now serving grilled chicken, and in what will soon be all of those restaurants are "Excel 50" ovens made by the Blodgett Corporation in Burlington, Vermont.[13] "For years, KFC has worked tirelessly to perfect a grilled option that has the great flavor and taste America associates with Colonel Sanders original recipe," says Doug Hasselo, chief food innovation officer for KFC. "We're confident KFC's second secret recipe, Kentucky Grilled Chicken, is one the Colonel would approve of."[14]
"The most ambitious new product offering in our history, Kentucky Grilled Chicken is the only slow-grilled, balanced option that offers the unmistakable KFC flavor that customers know and love."[3] In English, Kentucky Grilled Chicken is a Bodacious Food Direction for the company formerly known as KFC. Well, they will probably be known as KFC for a little while longer, but they are giving customers a chance to try the results of their five-year development efforts with a 5,000 restaurant rollout today. In the QSR world of restaurant ideas this grilled chicken is a big one. KFC has gone to the plate a couple of times before and struck out in their efforts to find a grilled chicken product that would fit their existing product line.[5] Our customer compliments are coming in at higher levels then any that we've had for any product. We're very excited about this. Its early in the launch but we think that this brand or sub brand of KFC, Kentucky Grilled Chicken, will hold up well in this pretty challenging environment for dinner as you pointed out.[11]
The goal, Maynard said, was to give away at least 5 million pieces of Kentucky Grilled Chicken that day. '''As the only QSR (quick service restaurant)''chicken brand with a true national footprint, we expect KFC will be the absolute leader in the grilled chicken space, not only because of our scale but because we tested and retested until we know we had an absolutely great tasting grilled product,''' he said.[15] KFC has designated today as "UNFry Day," giving away a free piece to taste, no purchase necessary. Past efforts at thinking outside the bucket, such as KFC's rotisserie chicken and roast chicken menu items offered in the 1990s, went, well, fowl. The company hopes that the newest product, which features its signature spice blend, will boost sales and have customers doing a celebratory chicken dance.[14] In a promotion to "Unthink" fried chicken and appeal to customers who are interested in fewer calories, KFC is promoting their new grilled chicken by giving away -- absolutely free -- one piece of chicken per person.[16] KFC is trying to think outside the bucket with grilled chicken. The news that KFC has launched a grilled chicken menu item brought back memories of some of the company's other "healthy" forays over the years, such as Skin-Free, Rotisserie Gold, Tender Roast and Oven Roast. In 1991, the corporation changed its signs and ads simply to KFC, as a move away from the "fried" image. For the most part, these attempts didn't really catch on. I discussed this in 2002 with Jackie Trujillo, then-chairman of the board with Harman Management. "We would love to have non-fried items on the menu, but the customers don't perceive us that way; they go somewhere else for those things," she told me.[17]
There is no doubt that there is a market for a healthier chicken product at KFC. What will be interesting to watch is the impact that the grilled product has on the legacy fried chicken that Colonel Harlan Sanders developed decades ago. The more that the company touts the "healthier" aspects of its new product the more their customers might question whether or not they should be eating the original recipe. The company is gambling that if they lose the original recipe customer that they will lose it to themselves with the grilled product. I am sure that this was a key part of the long test that KFC put the product through.[5] All I can say is "well, it's about time!" Grilled chicken done right is as delicious as it comes and KFC has sweetened the pot some more by offering anyone and everyone a chance to sink their teeth into this wonderful new product. My fellow low-carb blogger and recipe queen Dana Carpender is also super-excited about this promotion which you've probably seen on television.[18] One spot opens with the prompt "Think" and then shifts to chefs praising the brand's chicken. After the "Unthink" prompt fills the screen, the ad gives us images of them pleasantly munching on grilled chicken and of course the requisite food shots and the more lyrical invitation, "Taste the unfried side of KFC." Even with the white background and Errol Morris behind the camera, KFC is no Apple, so no matter how hard the brand tries to create a new catch phrase of the grilled chicken sort -- it's also launched a micro site offering extras like a place for people to upload their chicken dances, a "chef's corner" and a "Get your grill on" phone app -- I think "Unthink" won't stick.[7] Restaurant owner David Purinton, who also serves as the president of the nine-restaurant Lake Champlain KFC co-op, said KFC will begin a national advertising campaign Wednesday to highlight Kentucky Grilled Chicken ' KGC ' as a new 'unfried' offering at the national chain.[19] According to Thomas, Southern California ranks among the first in sales for KFC. Reflecting the competitive nature of the region, participating KFC stores in Southern California will be offering four free drumstick and thigh pieces of Kentucky Grilled Chicken with the purchase of every eight-piece or larger KFC meal May 4 to May 31.[3] Kentucky Grilled Chicken hits menus today in more than 5,000 KFC stores in the U.S., including 325 throughout Southern California.[3] LOS ANGELES - (Business Wire) If you can successfully please grilled chicken fans here, you can please them anywhere. That's the battle cry of KFC in Southern California as it launches its Kentucky Grilled Chicken menu in the nation's chicken restaurant capital with no-holds-barred advertising, promotions and special events that are causing competitors to take notice.[3] "Of course, nowhere has Kentucky Grilled Chicken been better received than in health-conscious Southern California," Thomas added. "This is ground zero in the grilled chicken movement - so KFC is gearing up to take Southern California by storm."[3]
Kentucky Grilled Chicken is being launched with a comprehensive national print, broadcast, outdoor, in-store and social media marketing campaign that includes aggressive media partnerships nationally and in Southern California.[3]
Limit one free piece per person. Kentucky Fried Chicken, the world'''s most popular chicken restaurant chain, recently announced a second secret recipe has been added to its menu ''' Kentucky Grilled Chicken (KGC).[20] Free. The chicken restaurant is adding a grilled option to its menu. They want you to check it out. They've declared Monday, April 27, as "un-fry day". Stop by any of their restaurants and you'll get a free piece of their new Kentucky grilled chicken.[21] Free piece of Kentucky Grilled Chicken offer is valid at participating KFC® restaurants April 27 th only.[3]
KFC is inviting customers to sample a free piece of grilled chicken at participating restaurants.[22]
You don't need a coupon and the offer is good for one meal per person before 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28. The move comes just one day after KFC offered customers it's new grilled chicken for free.[23] Dare I say we have a good old fashioned cock fight escalating among Orange County's El Pollo Loco and chicken giant KFC. El Pollo Loco's Chief executive Steve Carley plans to "throw down the gauntlet" in a TV ad where he challenges KFC's new grilled chicken (KGC) to a duel.[22] Kentucky Fried Chicken is selling grilled chicken? What's next, El Pollo Loco will start selling extra crispy? Give me a break.[22] While a small number of restaurants use ovens to partially cook chicken, EVERY piece of chicken at EVERY El Pollo Loco restaurant is grilled over an OPEN FLAME to give it the distinctive and real grilled flavor El Pollo Loco fans love. Thanks for the opportunity to share this information.[22] EVERY piece of chicken in EVERY El Pollo Loco restaurant is grilled over an open flame before it is served to our guests to deliver the REAL grilled flavor only open flames can provide chicken that is crisp and tender on the outside and juicy on the inside. It's the unique flavor of El Pollo Loco and you won't find it anywhere else.[22]
'''We know our El Pollo Loco flame-grilled chicken is the real thing, and we will not let our '''grilled''' chicken opponent pull the '''feathers''' over the public'''s eyes with a product that is cooked in an oven with no open flames.[22] The delicious and distinctive flavor of El Pollo Loco's fresh, natural, antibiotic free and hormone free citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken comes from open flames.[22] Whether cooked internally in ovens or by our traditional method (still used in most restaurants), ALL El Pollo Loco chicken is finished over an open flame grill to crisp the skin and provide the outstanding flavor and texture we love.[22]
"The competitor's new cooked-in-an-oven chicken may boast grill-marks, but we believe consumers will agree that the flavor is only skin-deep compared to El Pollo Loco's fresh, natural, deeply marinated chicken cooked to juicy perfection over an open grill," added Carley.[24]
Our expert cooks have been grilling chicken for more than 30 years and we are so sure that our flame-grilled chicken is superior, we can't wait to prove which chicken has authentic grilled flavor and which is all smoke and no fire," said Steve Carley, chief executive officer of El Pollo Loco.[24] We can'''t wait to prove which chicken has authentic grilled flavor and which is all smoke and no fire." How does the challenge work: El Pollo Loco has set up a toll-free number (1-877-EPL-STEVE) for customers to call in and share feedback about both brands.[22]
Customers who ask to "Taste the Fire" will be given two free pieces (leg and thigh) of El Pollo Loco's citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken plus two tortillas and fresh salsa.[25] At designated locations, people who ask to '''Taste the Fire''' before 8 p.m. will be given two free pieces of El Pollo Loco's chicken.[8]
In what appears to be a counter-move, or shall I say rabbit punch, El Pollo Loco is giving away two pieces of chicken on Tuesday.[22] To further bolster that message, the company is declaring Monday as "UNFry Day." In a response, Costa Mesa-based El Pollo Loco will give away a leg and thigh of its flame-grilled chicken along with two tortillas and fresh salsa Tuesday at all its locations except Universal Studios Hollywood and the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Conn.[9]
El Pollo Loco is the best. Even though KFC (KGC) is trying to change an image, they are truly known for that fried chicken (sometimes you want the bad stuff). It's what makes them famous.[9]
It's like taking the "parcel" out of UPS or the "American" out of AOL. Beginning today KFC has moved beyond fried chicken and into the realm of grilled foods. In a step to please its health-conscious customers, KFC is launching Kentucky Grilled Chicken nationwide at its more than 5,000 units.[4] KFC -- Kentucky Fried Chicken to stubborn folks like myself -- is launching a new grilled chicken entree.[6] KFC unveils Kentucky Grilled Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants at Houghton Lake and around northern Michigan have announced a second secret recipe has been added to their menus- Kentucky Grilled Chicken.[26]
KFC is famous for its fried chicken. Now the fast-food giant is adding a healthier grilled chicken to its menu, and a Burlington company is making the ovens that make that possible.[27] KFC has introduced a new grilled chicken option, and credits a Vermont company with making the move possible. That chicken, in its trademark 11 herbs and spices, has earned a reputation of being "Finger Lickin' Good," but fast forward to 2009 and fried food is no longer everyone's cup of tea.[13]
As part of the UNThink promotional blitz, KFC is sponsoring a grilled chicken giveaway called '''UNFry Day''' on Monday, April 27, to encourage consumers to try the new grilled product.[15] Try it for yourself Monday, April 27 when participating KFC restaurants give away free grilled chicken samples.[12] In addition to today's nationwide rollout, KFC is also giving away grilled chicken samples next Monday, April 27, across the nation at participating stores.[4]
April 27 is being called "UNFry Day," and stores will give a free piece of grilled chicken to anyone coming by the store that day.[17]
KENNEWICK, Wash-- Kentucky Fried Chicken will be giving out their newest creation grilled chicken, all-day Monday. They've aptly named the day un-fry-day.[28] It's time to UNthink what you thought about KFC because NEW Kentucky "GRILLED" Chicken is here! The new Kentucky Grilled Chicken is marinated in special herbs and spices and slow-cooked to grilled perfection.[29] KFC's Kentucky Grilled Chicken is marinated and seasoned with a blend of six secret herbs and spices and slow grilled.[26]
On the heels of the poor-selling 'rotisserie' chicken KFC is now introducing grilled chicken. Would someone please tell their marketing department that we don't go to KFC for that and sales indicate that. How could it hurt business? Just consider the millions of dollars spent to develop, test, manufacture and market this product, not to mention the equipment needed to produce it. That's a lot of money to invest in another idea that has a legacy of failure.[10] Later, a Tender Roast product was added but dropped after two years. It apparently died of customer neglect. The secret behind the grilled chicken this time is that it is marinated, seasoned and then prepared on grill racks in a custom-designed oven that takes about 20 minutes to cook in a patented process.[5] Both companies have established accounts on the microblogging Web site,Twitter.com, inviting customers to share their thoughts on the grilled chicken, 140 characters at a time.[9] "Let's see if our opponent is too chicken to go at it toe-to-toe -- or rather leg-to-leg -- in a taste test," Carley said. Both companies have established accounts on the microblogging Web site,Twitter.com, inviting customers to share their thoughts on the grilled chicken,140 characters at a time.[9]
Priced the same as the "Original Recipe" fried chicken (three-piece dark-meat platter with two sides and a biscuit, $7), the grilled option offers six "secret" herbs and spices. With a roasted aroma and a taste that recalls being flame-broiled, it's juicy and tender, but not mealy. (Grilled chicken ranges from 70 to 180 calories and 4 to 9 grams of fat, while the fried chicken ranges from 110-370 calories and 7 to 21 fat grams.)[30] The Southern California deal will run from May 4 to May 31 and is exclusive to that market. The grilled chicken breast has 190 fewer calories and 610 fewer milligrams of salt than its Original Recipe counterpart.[4] The grilled chicken contains from 160 to 440 milligrams of sodium per piece, as opposed to 290 to 1,050 milligrams of sodium per piece of Original Recipe chicken.[12]
I settled down in a booth and contemplated the calorie savings. KFC says each piece of its grilled chicken has 70-180 calories and four to nine grams of fat, compared with the original chicken, which is 110-370 calories and 7 to 21 grams of fat, depending on the piece.[17] A Web site, unthinkkfc.com, was established, which includes inviting visitors to upload videos of themselves dancing to music supplied by KFC while holding pieces of the grilled chicken.[9]
The prices are good there and you get a lot for your money. I'd try the grilled chicken at KFC. I think it's a good move, I don't see how it could hurt business.[10] We tried the KGC last night, and it's very good. I think it's better than any other grilled chicken you can get at any fast food place, by far. and it easily competes with chicken from sit-downs too.[10] That seems a bit like false advertising to me. You put 'Flame grilled chicken' on all of your advertising, food packaging, etc. Ok, so you don't specifically say it's cooked 100% that way, but come on, you must know that people read that and think it's flame grilled.[22] Question for you in terms of the U.S. business particularly those dinner oriented concepts, it seems like the high price point items these days, even when they are appropriate for a family party, are just turning out to be a very difficult sale, they're perhaps doing worse then you would have gotten in a test result even when that test was as recent as 2008. For instance you rolled out lasagna this quarter, I'm wondering how much that puts at risk this grilled chicken rollout that would of course be that same sort of target, multiple party family group that's been so under pressure, how you're thinking about how in general you'll position stuff for the family better to make it work. I think you know, whenever you have a marketing opportunity that's big, its usually when you've solved the biggest problem that occurs most frequently.[11]
You don't know who to believe these days. EPL baked? That's so sad. Before this food fight gets too ugly, I think all of us (those who tried both sides) should admit that KGC and EPL whether baked, grilled, flame-grilled, slapped, chopped or whatever are both good options for healthy chicken lovers, right? So let's keep the chicken bashing to a minimum, and just let us enjoy your food.[22]
Fast Food » After tinkering with healthier options for years, KFC has finally unrolled its offering of "grilled" chicken with succulent, finger-lickin'-good flavor.[30] Del Taco's campaign also is centered on offering low prices. Their new '''Bird is the word''' campaign is centered around lowering prices on its grilled chicken menu.[8] I love it. It gets better. By no coincidence, both chains are also offering free grilled chicken next week.[22]
"KFC has 15,000 restaurants worldwide and we're only touching the U.S. market, so we're certainly hopeful it expands beyond the U.S. borders." More demand could mean more jobs -- heating up both the grilled chicken and the local labor market.[27] According to KFC, the grilled chicken is marinated, seasoned and slow grilled to "juicy perfection," but we found it to be drier and chewier than the fried stuff.[14] I didn't want to wait that long, so last Thursday I headed to the KFC on 400 South and ordered a two-piece meal. It was just a few minutes shy of noon, but I was told I'd have to wait another 18 minutes for the next batch of grilled chicken.[17]
The issue is not the Kentucky Fried Chicken stencil, to be temporarily sprayed on potholes. The issue is promoting this company on television and newspapers such as the 'KFC says Petaluma is pothole-fillin' good' article in the Argus-Courier last Thursday. A corporation such as KFC, with a documented history of not implementing changes to eliminate the worst abuses of chickens is not a good choice for promotion. It is well documented that KFC's own animal welfare advisors asked for changes that would cost only 2 cents more per meal, yet the company refuses to implement a single one of them.[31] We're basically asking people to unthink KFC. You think of us primarily as fried chicken, well we're not only fried chicken, that great fried chicken you love, but we now have unfried chicken as well.[11]
Daymon Doss, executive director of the Petaluma Health Care District, points to the higher costs of organic and nutritious foods. He said, 'So, people are tempted to buy less expensive, readily available fast food.' Kentucky Fried Chicken is not healthy, local or green.[31] Rumours that the fast food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken is due to come to the centre of Devizes have been proved only half true.[32]
Blodgett has sold 5,000 of the ovens to the Kentucky-based fried chicken restaurant chain, and hopes to expand sales overseas, company president Gary Mick said Tuesday.[19]
KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Ky., is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain specializing in Original Recipe®, Extra Crispy™ and Original Recipe Strips with home-style sides, Honey BBQ Wings, and freshly made chicken sandwiches.[3] Apparently the fact that the oven is a closed unit produces a chicken that is tender, juicy and seals in the flavor. It has its own secret blend of 6 herbs and spices that will sit in a vault next to the Colonel's original recipe of 11 herbs and spices.[5]
The cooking process includes a blend of spices that is proprietary to KFC and utilizes custom-designed, patented ovens, making it KFC'''s second secret recipe,''' according to a news release. Tuesday: Free small iced coffee at Dunkin Donuts Get a free small iced coffee this Tuesday and the next three Tuesdays at local Dunkin Donuts in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Palm Beach counties. You can choose from eight flavors of iced coffee and the deal is available all-day on these Tuesdays: April 28, Tuesday, May 5, May 12 and May 19. Baskin-Robbins: Wednesday (April 29) is 31 cent scoops night Baskin Robbins kicks off its third annual 31-cent Scoop Night on Wednesday, April 29 to honor America's firefighters.[20] And, customers tried out the new product. The company is hoping this new line will entice a new audience, and Blodgett is hoping its ovens will ultimately be in KFC restaurants worldwide.[13]
With more than 700 competing chicken restaurants operating under various brands, Southern California is regarded as the nation's chicken restaurant capital, as well as the epicenter of the movement toward grilled, balanced menu options. What happens in this five-county region from a product and marketing standpoint often serves as a bellwether for the rest of the country.[3] "We're making it easier for our customers to pursue balanced diets and lifestyles without sacrificing the great taste of KFC," explained Ed Thomas, KFC franchisee and president of the Southern California KFC Advertising Association.[3]
You just can't fake the taste an open flame gives fresh, natural marinated chicken, certainly not when you use an oven for grilling." Beginning April 26, Carley will throw down the gauntlet in a TV ad campaign featuring him challenging KFC to the Taste the Fire(R) taste test.[24] '''We are trying to build excitement around the chicken wars,''' said Mark Hardison, VP of marketing at El Pollo Loco Inc. '''The idea is to bring light to the fact that at El Pollo Loco, we cook our chick on an open flame.'''[8] El Pollo Loco'''s fresh, natural chicken in EVERY El Pollo Loco restaurant is cooked according to rigorous operational and food safety standards and served at a temperature exceeding minimum Health Department requirements.[22] A small percentage of El Pollo Loco restaurants use a convection oven to partially bake chicken to a food-safe temperature.[22]
To get the free offer, all you have to do is go into participating El Pollo Loco restaurants and ask for the Taste the Fire for free offer.[23] El Pollo Loco Chief Executive Officer Steve Carley challenged KFC to a public, side-by-side taste test.[9] El Pollo Loco will give consumers a voice in the Taste the Fire(R) Challenge through www.twitter.com/elpollolocoinc and other social media.[24] The El Pollo Loco campaign is targeting all Americans age 25 to 49, with a tighter focus on Hispanics age 18 to 49. This follows a price reduction campaign in which the fast food chain lowered prices on popular items to reach consumers in the tough economy.[8] El Pollo Loco also is inviting consumers to participate in the challenge for free on Tuesday, April 28.[8]
El Pollo Loco is famous for the unique preparation of its award-winning "pollo" - fresh, natural hormone-free and antibiotic-free chicken marinated in a special combination of herbs, spices and citrus juices, then flame-grilled, hand cut and served hot off the grill with warm tortillas, freshly prepared salsas and a wide assortment of side dishes.[24] The EPL deal (one leg, one thigh) also comes with two tortillas and salsa.'' Fliers promoting the El Pollo Loco special started landing in mailboxes this week. (Note: You don't need a coupon or flier to get the freebie, which is valid before 8 p.m.) My thoughts: As you know, The Maven and her co-workers gave our reviews of each chicken earlier this week.''[22] Carley will even have a designated hotline for the competitor to call to set up the showdown: 1-877-EPL-STEVE. Visit www.ElPolloLoco.com to see the ads and learn more about El Pollo Loco's Taste the Fire(R) challenge. No purchase will be necessary, making this an even juicier deal.[24]
" Our turf'' (CA) or theirs (Kentucky) and yes the public will decide," El Pollo Loco said.[22] El Pollo Loco has always been the place you can go and feel like you are eating just a bit healthier.[9] Ads for the '''Taste the Fire Challenge''' are running on TV, in direct mail coupons, on the El Pollo Loco Web site and on El Pollo Loco's Twitter page.[8]
Kentucky Grilled Chicken breast, drumstick and wing pieces have just four grams of fat and only one gram of saturated fat each. [3] No question, with just 70 to 180 calories and 4 to 9 grams of fat, depending on the piece, the grilled chicken is a better-for-you option. (Extra crispy, in contrast, has between 150 and 490 calories and 10 to 31 grams of fat.)[14]
Hopefully, enough partners of people going for the fried who want something healthier will keep the grilled chicken alive.[6] When the kids and I go to Wendy's and McDonalds I choose the grilled chicken sandwich. It will be nice to have another place to go that offers grilled chicken.[10] And, of course, potholes are known in French as nids de poules (chicken nests). What if Mayor G''rald Tremblay got KFC to bring the offer to Canada and hike the per-pothole fee to, say, $9,056.12? That would bring in about $355 million, enough to pay for those pesky water meters. A reader offered a twist, posting this: "How about getting La Belle Province to sponsor it in Montreal? After all, nothing says 'Quebec' like potholes and poutine!" Last week, we launched the Metropolitan News Montreal Dictionary, with "snophobia" - "the irrational fear that it will snow, even though it's April and the forecast high is in the teens.[33] The catchphrase '''UNThink''' is the product of a Draftfcb '''Creative Rumble''' that was held last November, and is intended to encourage consumers to think about KFC in a new way. UNThink has its own microsite ''' www.unthinkkfc.com ''' where visitors will be able to launch TV spots and outtakes, learn more about celebrity chef endorsers like Sandra Lee, play games and create an iPhone application.[15] "We will continue to try things, but you have to sell enough to keep the product fresh and make money." This time around, KFC's efforts include an advertising blitz and free food.[17] There was Rotisserie Gold in the early '90s. It was a good product but was dropped due to equipment issues and long cook times. Customers never knew when they went to a KFC for the product whether they could get any or not.[5]
Lower income and less educated folks, who comprise a large portion of KFC's urban clientele, shunned it. It cost more, didn't taste as good as the fried skin-on chicken and had nutritional advantages that were lost on them.[10] KFC "Grilled" doesn't have any taste past the skin. It's pretty much baked chicken.[22]
The seasoning is good, and the flavor is wonderful. It's actually not too far off what I make on my own grill. it's very well done. I hope this variant within KFC makes it. I was a big fan of their rotisserie chicken when they did it before, but that didn't survive for long and wasn't done in a lot of their locations.[10] The chicken giveaway is part of a marketing campaigning designed to show that "KFC is not too chicken to think outside the bucket," according to a company executive.[9] "At KFC, we're all about choice and we're constantly evolving our menu to meet customers' needs," says company spokeswoman Laurie Schalow of the new offering.[4] KFC. PFK is offering cash to cities across the United States if they'll stencil (using non-permanent street chalk) the fried-chicken chain's logo on freshly paved-over potholes. They'll "sponsor" the fixes, paying cities $3,000 U.S. per pothole. KFC's hometown, Louisville, Ky., took them up on the offer. Now, if there's one thing Montreal is rich in, it's potholes. Last year, the city filled 39,200 of them.[33] As part of 31 Cent Scoop Night, Baskin-Robbins will make a $100,000 donation to the National Volunteer Fire Council's (NVFC) National Junior Firefighter Program, according to a news release. "With so many families looking for opportunities to have fun without spending a lot of money, we're happy to offer our customers the simple pleasure of a scoop of their favorite ice cream for only 31 cents," said Scott Colwell, Baskin-Robbins global marketing officer. Carvel: Celebrate 75 years with free Icebergs Thursday, April 30 Carvel is celebrating its 75th anniversary by giving away free Icebergs, Carvel's newest blended beverage from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 30.[20] According to a chain spokesman, the ''free piece selection is at manager's choice and may vary by location.'' The offer runs all day long, so stop by on Monday to take advantage of this delicious freebie.[16]
The site's title is an attempt to change the perception that it only offers fried chicken, which has fallen out of favor as the American public has grown more health conscious.[9] In a major publicity stunt that's working brilliantly, Kentucky Fried Chicken.[33]
The campaign began April 14 with the unveiling of the grilled chicken at New York City's famed Friars Club, which it dubbed as the "UNFriars Club" for the event. [9] The grilled chicken also contains less than half the sodium of the original.[17] Success with grilled chicken here could mean more demand elsewhere. "It does open up additional doors," Mick said.[27] P Underwood have you ever had chickfilas grilled chicken sandwhich? that is my favorite of any fastfood.[10]
The chicken still had enough of that crunchy skin to make it KFCable and the breast was moist and flavorful throughout. The woman who waited on us figured that more half of her customers are trying grilled.[12]
There's a reason people hold up two hands and feign quotations marks when talking about the KFC chicken.[22] Sounds to me like EPL is worried about KFC taking their business. If their chicken is really that great, they don't need to worry.[22] The chicken is finished on the grill to crisp the skin. "This process cooks the chicken food-safe without human intervention," Carley said. "It's more tender and juicier than the current product, and it comes out like that every time."[22] Doesn't anyone rember the KFC 'Gold' fiasco? This was a skinless version of their traditional product that was 'healthier' and cost about 10 Cents more per piece than the fried counterpart.[10] Professional curmudgeon Michael Jacobson, executive director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, AKA the Food Police, still couldn't bring himself to pat KFC on the back for bringing out a healthier product. "Still too much sodium," he whined.[5] We're challenging America to taste the unfried side of KFC. So, we've got a, the team has done rallies all around the United States. Our team members are very excited about this product. They've all tried the product.[11]
A Blodgett oven is now in each of the chain's 5,000 restaurants. "It's a huge deal for us," said Gary Mick, president of Blodgett Corp. "I used to think 5,000 wasn't a very big number, but when you put an oven in every single KFC in the United States, it's huge." The multimillion dollar deal required Blodgett to add 50 temporary employees to its work force. "We had to build all these ovens in the space of four months, which is a big pickup to the economy here," Mick said. "Instead of having to reduce your workforce, we had to increase it substantially to make these ovens." [27] The city's economic development director praised Blodgett for keeping jobs local at a time many manufacturers have moved overseas. "I think they've bucked the trend, not just through this recession but through the erosion of U.S. manufacturing for the past number of years," said Larry Kupferman, director of the Community and Economic Development Office. "It's a good feeling to know we can do a little piece at my restaurant, with just one oven," said franchise owner David Purinton.[27]
Progress isn't always a good thing. In their desire for expansion they have now 'automated' the marinating process and are cooking chicken in convection ovens.[22]
Last Modified: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 5:42 p.m. Editor: I am troubled by Mayor Torliatt and the City Council's decision to associate our city with a fast food chain known for accepting abusive practices from their chicken suppliers.[31] People are just eating heathier. I know i pass up KFC all the time just because it's fried food.[22] There's a hint of smoky flavoring, but not so strong that it tastes fake. While a lot of people turn up their nose at KFC, it's often been my family's go-to option for spur-of-the-moment picnics. It offered us a little "taste of home" when we lived overseas.[17] Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss said the KFC contract demonstrates Blodgett's continued health and KFC's adaptability to changing consumer tastes.[19]
Jacobson told the AP, the 440 milligrams listed by KFC in a grilled breast is more than one-quarter what someone middle aged or older should consume in a day.[12] KFC is calling it UNFry Day and has launched a new Web site called unthinkkfc.com.[12] KFC restaurants nationwide are celebrating '''UNFry Day''' Monday, April 27.[20] There are more than 14,000 KFC outlets in more than 80 countries and territories around the world, serving some 12 million customers each day.[3]
Burlington's Blodgett Corporation, which describes itself as 'the world's largest manufacturer of commercial ovens,' displayed this morning the new energy-efficient grilling oven it developed over three years for KFC.[19] The new oven, Mick said, delivers a consistent product, is energy efficient and is self-cleaning, reducing the labor costs for restaurants.[19]
I got a two-piece meal of breast and wing, for a total of $5.38 with tax. That included a biscuit, mashed potatoes, coleslaw and a drink. I'm not sure that "grill" is the right description, as this chicken doesn't seem to have spent any time over an open flame. [17] "Let's see if our opponent is too chicken to go it toe-to-toe --or rather leg-to-leg-- in a taste test.[24]
What some companies do to keep the bottomline growing. I think it's good that KFC is branching out. [22] While you're there, be sure to grab yourself a side of healthy low-carb green beans and a diet soda or unsweet tea for a fantastic low-carb lunch. When you're done, be sure to mosey on over to the KFC Contact page to let them know what you think! Of course, you can leave your feedback in the comments section below as well.[18]
KFC were believed to be about to move into the empty premises in Maryport Street formerly occupied by the furniture store Age of Elegance. The firm said 119 people had added their names to a petition.[32]
SOURCES
1. Kentucky Fried Chicken Gives Away Free Chicken - News Story - KFOX El Paso
2. KFC: Free grilled chicken giveaway Monday
3. KFC Goes on the Offensive in Southern California Grilled Chicken Wars with April 20 Launch of Kentucky Grilled Chicken™
4. Taking the "F" Out of KFC - Restaurant News - QSR Magazine
5. KGC is a BFD - The Next Big Thing - Blog on Chain Leader
6. Baltimore Restaurant Examiner: Free chicken at KFC!
7. Advertising | Ads | Advertising Agencies | Campaigns | News: Adweek
8. El Pollo Loco and Del Taco new pushes centered on chicken - DMNews
9. The Chicken Wars - at Least There's Free Food Involved | NBC Los Angeles
10. The Storefront - Roanoke.com » Restaurants, the economy and grilled chicken at KFC
11. Yum! Brands Inc. Q1 2009 Earnings Call Transcript
12. Free Kentucky GRILLED chicken on Monday
13. KFC goes healthy; VT company benefits | NECN
14. KFC Offers Kentucky Grilled Chicken Option -- Courant.com
15. KFC, Draftfcb launch grilled chicken campaign - DMNews
16. Seattle Frugal Living Examiner: Free chicken at KFC on Monday, April 27
17. Deseret News | Will non-fried chicken fly at KFC this time?
18. Carbwire » KFC Giving Away FREE Samples Of Their New Kentucky Grilled Chicken On April 27
19. Blodgett, KFC unveil new oven deal | burlingtonfreepress.com | The Burlington Free Press
20. Bargainista: Four cheap eats: A free piece of chicken, coffee, iceberg and 31 cents scoops (April 27-30) : News : TCPalm
21. Free Stuff: April 22 - CBS 6 - WTVR, Richmond Va -
22. Chicken wars escalate: El Pollo Loco challenges KFC - Fast Food Maven - OCRegister.com
23. How to get a free chicken meal from El Pollo Loco - Phoenix Arizona news, breaking news, local news, weather radar, traffic from ABC15 News | ABC15.com
24. VIDEO from Medialink and El Pollo Loco: El Pollo Loco, the Nation's Flamed-Grilled Chicken Leader, Challenges KFC to a Public Taste Test
25. Free chicken at El Pollo Loco Tuesday
26. KFC unveils Kentucky Grilled | www.houghtonlakeresorter.com | Houghton Lake Resorter
27. Blodgett Ovens Lands KFC Deal - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-
28. Un-Fry Day at Kentucky Fried Chicken Monday - KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA |
29. Win A Kentucky Grilled Chicken Family Meal at KFC - WLNS TV 6 Lansing Jackson Michigan News and Weather - WLNS.COM |
30. Pop Top: KFC successful in healthier effort - Salt Lake Tribune
31. Don't accept KFC offer | Petaluma360.com | Petaluma Argus-Courier | Petaluma, CA
32. KFC searching for a site in Devizes From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)
33. Metro politan news
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