KFC's New Grilled Chicken Meal Coupon Controversy
Last week, Oprah Winfrey partnered up with KFC and made available to the nation a coupon redeemable for a two-piece grilled meal at the fast-food joint.
The free meal deal was originally slated to run through May 19th. Millions of viewers downloaded the coupon after Tuesday's show, with even more joining in after word of the deal hit the Internet. ( I tried to download it, it didn't work. Bummer!)
But due to the meal's extreme demand at many locations, the restaurant had to pull-out early, saying it would no longer be honoring the coupon.
KFC President Roger Eaton said in a statement on Oprah's website: "We are so sorry, but due to the overwhelming response to our free Kentucky Grilled Chicken meal coupon, we can no longer redeem the free coupon at this time."
Eaton advises coupon holders to take their voucher to KFC, where they will be given a form to fill out and mail in in exchange for a rain check of the same promotion.
Having learned from their free-for-all mistake, this time around, Eaton says the redemption times for the rain checks will be staggered.
To further sweeten the pot, KFC will also throw in a free Pepsi, something not originally included in the coupon.
"Thank you for your understanding," he wrote.
Complete instructions on how to obtain a rain check are available on Oprah.com
In the meantime, El Pollo Loco says fans can redeem their KFC coupon at the rival chain on Mother's Day this Sunday. (A day KFC would not redeem coupon). Pollo wars! Fun!
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