KFC gives rain checks for free chicken

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Turns out that the power of Oprah was too much for KFC.

After Oprah Winfrey featured KFC’s new grilled chicken on her talk show Tuesday and promised everyone in America a free meal (if they could get to her suddenly overloaded website and download a coupon Tuesday or Wednesday), the fast-food chain had to cancel the promotion because of what it called an ‘overwhelming response.’

‘The lines of customers wanting to redeem their coupons have been out the door and around the block, so we’re unable to redeem customer coupons at this time,’ company President Roger Eaton said in a statement.

Millions of Americans downloaded coupons, driving store traffic ‘to levels unseen in the brand’s 50-year history.’

Bottom line: If you have a coupon and bring it to a participating KFC, you’ll get a form to fill out. Mail in the form and coupon or return them to a participating KFC by May 19 and you’ll be sent a rain check for a free grilled chicken meal (two pieces of grilled chicken, two sides and a biscuit) at a later date. So don’t expect free chicken on the spot. As a sweetener, KFC is throwing in a free cup of Pepsi with your meal.

If you didn’t download the coupon Tuesday or Wednesday, you’re out of luck. A list of restaurants serving the grilled chicken can be found here.

-- Nancy Rivera Brooks