A Brief History Of KFC’s Corporate Strategies
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is a global fast-food chain that is well known for its fried chicken and other Southern-style comfort food. Founded in 1930 by Colonel Harland Sanders, the company has remained largely unchanged despite its rapid growth and expansion into almost every corner of the world. In this article, we’ll take a look at the corporate strategies employed by KFC throughout its history.
The first major change to KFC’s corporate strategy was in 1956 with the introduction of the “Original Recipe” fried chicken recipe. The new menu focused on skinless chicken pieces, which allowed them to keep their cooking times shorter and their costs lower. This allowed KFC to offer meals at competitive prices while still maintaining quality standards.
In 1974, KFC implemented an aggressive expansion plan that saw them opening up locations around the world. This included franchising businesses as well as opening up stand-alone restaurants in countries such as China and India. This international expansion would eventually lead to KFC becoming one of the largest fast-food chains in the world.
KFC also began experimenting with new product lines in the mid-1980s, such as its famous “Double Down” sandwich. The sandwich featured two slices of cheese and bacon between two pieces of fried chicken instead of between two slices of bread, making it one of KFC’s most iconic products.
The 1990s saw more changes for KFC’s business model, including a move away from traditional advertising methods towards using social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to reach potential customers online. This strategic shift saw sales skyrocket over the following decades as more people embraced digital channels for their dining experiences.
Finally, KFC has recently begun investing heavily in technology to improve customer experience and provide better food options. It has begun testing autonomous delivery vehicles in certain cities around the world, while it is also offering mobile ordering capabilities through apps like GrubHub and Uber Eats to make it easier for customers to order food on demand anytime they want it.