KFC/Oprah problems - Big Big Forums

atprm · 05-07-2009, 11:46 AM

KFC patrons report they can't use Oprah coupons

Louisville, we have a problem. A commenter says:

Unfortunately for those who worked on or near 42nd St., in NYC are not able to use the coupons. A KFC employee was literally screaming in front of the KFC stating, "NO MORE COUPONS" and turned people away. Thanks for nothing!!!!

And another:

I went to use my coupon today and there was a notice on the door stating that if your last 4 numbers in the bar code are 1234, the coupon is no good! Came home to try to print again and the site would not let me print another coupon.

Jay here. ALL the pdf versions of the coupons (see post below) have the 1234 UPC number. I have a call into KFC public relations about this and about whether they're going to be swamped by all the demand. Will report back when I hear.

UPDATE: More reports of KFC customers unable to redeem grilled chicken coupons. Metro New York customers do not seem to be having good KFC experiences today:

If the coupon doesn't print, consider it a blessing! the portchestoer NY store sort of honored a few before noon (2 wings, mash & no biscuit) and then told the remaining coupon holders (that were shunned into a separate line) that the chicken was gone. I eat atr this KFC regularly and was treated like a vagrant because I had a coupon; that they issued!

And:

well we went to kfc in brooklyn center off brooklyn blvd and they also said that if any of us had the same numbers they weren't going to take them.everyones coupons end with 1234'so we went to another one got served went back and talked with the 1st place.they were only serving one per car.

And:

I just came back from the North Lake KFC in Pasadena California, where the sign on the door read "We are not accepting internet coupons".

UPUPDATE: Scott in San Antonio says he & friends successfully redeemed PDF-based coupons. Since he says all coupons' barcodes were the same, I assume they all ended in 1234, which seems to be all you get from the PDF version.

I was able to print it no problem with FireFox. I also saved the PDF. Others who went to get it got the same coupon code. We all went to lunch together and joined the long line of other people waiting for their free chicken. We were politely served and while it took about 10 minutes for our food to be ready, we did get it and in no way felt slighted.

I guess I know what I will be eating for the next two weeks!

(BTW, this was in San Antonio)

AND MORE: A reported sit-in over grilled-chicken denials at a New York KFC.

atprm · 05-07-2009, 11:49 AM

KFC coupon customers ask: Where's the chicken?

Louisville, Ky. (AP) - Customers at a New York City KFC hoping to redeem coupons for a free meal were disgruntled when the fast-food restaurant ran out of its new grilled chicken, but Internet rumors of a riot were unfounded, a Kentucky Fried Chicken spokeswoman said Wednesday.

"Some customers were upset because they couldn't get their chicken, but there was no riot," said Laurie Schalow.

Schalow said the Manhattan restaurant on East 42nd Street plans to begin honoring the coupons again Thursday after it resupplies the kitchen.

The coupons were available on Oprah.com for 24 hours beginning Tuesday after Oprah announced the meal promotion on her show. Each downloadable coupon can be redeemed for two pieces of grilled chicken, two individual sides and a biscuit.

KFC, owned by Louisville, Ky.-based Yum Brands Inc., introduced its new Kentucky Grilled Chicken about three weeks ago. The new menu item is being touted as lower in fat, calories and sodium than the traditional deep-fried chicken for which KFC is known the world over. It even has it's own secret recipe, kept under lock and key near the original 11 herbs and spices recipe for fried chicken created by KFC founder Colonel Harland Sanders.

Schalow said the grilled chicken has been a huge success, and the combination of a bad economy and Oprah's popularity created a "perfect storm."

"We prepared for it," Schalow said, noting that a KFC restaurant can only serve so many people during the lunch and dinner hours. "We didn't prepare for this extreme."

But Schalow said customers have until May 19th to redeem their coupons, Mother's Day excluded, and she encouraged the public to return later.

A spokewoman for Oprah's Harpo Productions in Chicago said they are not aware of any problems with the coupons.

Schalow said KFC restaurants across the United States were bustling on Wednesday because of the coupon offer.

"A lot of restaurants experienced very, very heavy traffic with people trying to redeem the coupons." she said, though KFC headquarters did not hear of any other problems with customers other than the those at the New York City franchise. "All stores are very busy today, very long lines, that's what we're hearing."

Schalow said some KFC stores may have run out of some products, such as mashed potatoes and gravy or cole slaw, "but they are substituting as best they can."

_____

Associated Press Writer Caryn Rousseau in Chicago contributed to this report.

JKATHERINE · 05-07-2009, 04:14 PM

Hell, I wasn't even able to print a coupon. I got the site to load, clicked on "print coupon" and it told me I had already printed the maximum number! I never printed ONE! Geesh!

IthinkNOT! · 05-07-2009, 08:03 PM

I tried to use my coupon at the KFC in the next town over, only they told me it was photocopied and said I should be ashamed for trying to scam KFC.

atprm · 05-07-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IthinkNOT!

I tried to use my coupon at the KFC in the next town over, only they told me it was photocopied and said I should be ashamed for trying to scam KFC.

I would contact KFC.

that's not even close to being "right"

Shann · 05-07-2009, 09:15 PM

yikes! We have ours that I legally printed... I think we'll see if they take them out here tomorrow. That is ridiculous they are not taking them, I'm all ready not eating at Quiznos b/c of their million sub giveaway and attitudes of their employees for a coupon that even corporate said was valid

cSoReNSoN · 05-07-2009, 09:16 PM

I was only able to print the pdf version of the coupon, which all have the barcode ending in 1234. Some individuals have reported issues using the pdf version of the coupon, so hopefully it won't present a problem upon redemption.

atprm · 05-07-2009, 09:18 PM

I printed right from the website and all mine have the same 1234 barcode

vicky122 · 05-07-2009, 10:21 PM

Poeple I know had the 1234 code and used them with no trouble. The only trouble the had was they ran out of chicken and used the other chicken. But that wasn't a bad thing.

mabby89 · 05-07-2009, 11:48 PM

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Customers at a New York City KFC hoping to redeem coupons for a free meal were peeved when the fast-food eatery's supply ran low, but Internet rumors of a riot were false, a KFC spokeswoman said Wednesday.

"Some customers were upset because they couldn't get their chicken, but there was no riot," said Laurie Schalow.

The coupons were available on Oprah.com for 24 hours beginning Tuesday after Oprah announced the meal promotion on her show. Each downloadable coupon can be redeemed for two pieces of grilled chicken, two individual sides and a biscuit.

On Thursday, KFC president Roger Eaton issued an apology for the coupon fiasco, but said the chicken giant will no longer accept the coupons.

"We would like to apologize to our customers who have been inconvenienced by the overwhelming response to our free Kentucky Grilled Chicken offer," Eaton said in a statement. "The lines of customers wanting to redeem their coupon have been out the door and around the block, so we're unable to redeem customer coupons at this time. Instead, we will be issuing rainchecks to customers which can be used at a later date. We're asking our customers to kindly visit their local KFC to find out more about rainchecks."

KFC, owned by Louisville, Ky.-based Yum Brands Inc., introduced its new Kentucky Grilled Chicken about three weeks ago. The new menu item is being touted as lower in fat, calories and sodium than the traditional deep-fried chicken for which KFC is known the world over. It even has its own secret recipe, kept under lock and key near the original 11 herbs and spices recipe for fried chicken created by KFC founder Colonel Harland Sanders.

Schalow said the grilled chicken has been a huge success, and the combination of a bad economy and Oprah's popularity created a "perfect storm."

"We prepared for it," Schalow said, noting that a KFC restaurant can only serve so many people during the lunch and dinner hours. "We didn't prepare for this extreme."

But Schalow said customers have until May 19 to redeem their coupons, Mother's Day excluded, and she encouraged the public to return later.

A spokewoman for Oprah's Harpo Productions in Chicago said they are not aware of any problems with the coupons.

Schalow said KFC restaurants across the United States were bustling on Wednesday because of the coupon offer.

"A lot of restaurants experienced very, very heavy traffic with people trying to redeem the coupons." she said, though KFC headquarters did not hear of any other problems with customers other than the those at the New York City franchise. "All stores are very busy today, very long lines, that's what we're hearing."

Schalow said some KFC stores may have run out of some products, such as mashed potatoes and gravy or cole slaw, "but they are substituting as best they can

dv8grl · 05-08-2009, 08:43 AM

I printed mine coupon., It does not have the 1234 barcode., But after this publicity stunt, they can have their chicken, I won't eat there anymore.