KFC® in the News

Contacts:
Michael Tierney (502) 454-2692
Jean Litterst (502) 456-8366

DECLARE INDEPENDENCE FROM BORING BURGERS, MESSY MEALS
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New Chicken Twister^TM Sandwich -
KFC's first cold chicken menu item
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It's a great fit for today's on-the-go lifestyle!

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 1, 1997 )   KFC helps citizens declare their independence from boring burgers and messy meals with its new Bacon Ranch Chicken Twister^TM. The revolutionary KFC Chicken Twister sandwich will be available in most of KFC's 5,100 restaurants across the country beginning July 2.

More than a sandwich, the new Twister is like a "meal all wrapped up and ready to go." It weighs in at more than eight ounces of chicken, veggies and bread. KFC's first cold chicken menu offering consists of tender chunks of chicken, shredded lettuce, juicy tomatoes, bits of real bacon, shredded cheese and a specially blended ranch dressing - all neatly wrapped in a soft pita bread.

KFC's Chicken Twister is an extension of the company's new baked chicken line which features Tender Roast® chicken pieces. For some 45 years, KFC has fulfilled Colonel Sanders' vision of providing "Sunday Dinner, Seven Days a Week." But America's definition of "Sunday Dinner" has changed considerably for some.

"While the traditional chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy and cole slaw continues as the quintessential American meal, many folks are looking for other options," said Randy Gier, KFC senior vice president-marketing. "We found that Twister really appeals to these folks."

The new sandwich fits in with today's food preferences and eating trends, as well. "With today's busy lifestyle, many people find their lunch `hour' turning into their lunch `10 minutes,'" Gier pointed out. "As schedules become tighter, more people are experiencing `The Incredible Shrinking Lunch.' With Chicken Twister, we've created a sandwich that's more like a meal - neatly packaged so it's easy to eat, whether you're in the car or at your desk."

Freshness counts with today's consumers as well. Tomatoes, shredded lettuce, real bacon and shredded cheese helped make the Twister extremely popular in test markets. Tests were conducted in more than 300 restaurants in Los Angeles; the Tri-Cities, Tenn.-area; and Kansas City. In Kansas City, KFC restaurants saw a 14 percent increase in lunch sales, with overall restaurant sales up 6 percent. Eighty-seven percent of that sales increase was from new customers and current customers returning more often.

KFC's tests confirmed the popularity of "wraps" sandwiches - one of the nation's hottest food trends, according to Nation's Restaurant News. "Our customers tell us they love the wrapped bread," added Gier. "With all those fresh ingredients - quality chicken, fresh vegetables in that delicious soft bread - the Twister may look like a sandwich but eats more like a meal."

The introductory TV advertising features mouth-watering close-ups of Twister's fresh ingredients, designed to create appetite appeal and awareness. The voices of two people are heard talking about "eating on the run" as the camera shows the view through the windshield. The people discuss Twister's no-mess eating - ideal for people on the go.

In another ad, The Flintstones' "Fred" and "Barney" demonstrate how the Twister takes lunch out of the Stone Age. "Welcome to the `90s," Fred says as he tells Barney to give up those sloppy burgers (that are messing up his "teradactyl carpeting") and choose a Twister instead. The ads air from July 7 through August 17 and feature an introductory TV offer for a Twister and a medium drink for $2.99 plus tax at participating KFC restaurants. The TV ads are produced by Young and Rubicam/New York.

Kentucky Fried Chicken Corp. (KFC), based in Louisville, Ky., is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain specializing in both fried and roasted chicken pieces and homestyle sides. Since its founding by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1952, KFC has been "America's Leading Kitchen For Convenient Meals," serving customers delicious, already-prepared complete family meals at affordable prices. There are more than 9,900 KFC outlets in 76 countries around the world serving nearly seven million customers each day.

"Editor's Note:
Color photo available via Newscom.
Click Here to download (you must have an account set up with NewsCom) or call (305)448-8411 for information."

Fast Facts about KFC® and Chicken Twister^TM

• Ideal for busy people who eat "on the go" or in the car. It's like a meal you can hold in your hand.
• According to a survey by NPD Group in Chicago, as reported in the Wall Street Journal in January 1994, one in 10 meals purchased in a restaurant is eaten in the car - perhaps as many as one in six.
• Eating in the car has increased by 25 percent since 1985.
• Chicken Twister is tender chunks of KFC chicken, crisp lettuce, fresh tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, bits of real bacon and a creamy ranch dressing - all wrapped up in a fluffy pita bread.
• Laid head to claw, the number of chickens served by KFC would stretch some 275,000 miles -- enough to circle the world at the equator 11 times, or stretch from the earth past the moon approximately 50,000 miles.
• Last year KFC sold more than 11 pieces of chicken for every man, woman and child in the country.
• It's great for picnics, the beach, fireworks, outdoor concerts, other fun events. Just toss them in the cooler until you're ready to eat.
• Will be available in most of KFC's 5,100 restaurants nationwide beginning July 2.
• In one KFC focus group, a customer said he ate a Twister 10 times in the first three weeks it was available at his local restaurant.
• One of KFC's test market restaurants in Tennessee sold more than 300 Twisters in one day!
• Laid head to claw, the number of chickens served by KFC around the world in 1996 would stretch some 284,000 miles _ enough to circle the world at the equator 11 times, or stretch from the Earth past the moon approximately 59,000 miles.
• In the United States in 1996, KFC sold more than 11 pieces of chicken for every man, woman and child in the country.

TEN REASONS TO PUT A TWISTER^TM IN YOUR LIFE

10.... You can eat it with one hand.
  9.... Great lunch time alternative to boring burgers and soggy sandwiches.
  8.... Packs easily into coolers.
  7.... Comes with its own convenient easy-to-carry case that keeps all the good stuff from falling into your lap.
  6.... Look what a good "twister" did for Judy Garland's career.
  5.... Without it, Chubby Checker might have been just another "pleasingly plump" back-up singer.   
  4.... All of the cool people eat KFC's Chicken Twister.
  3.... You can eat one in the car without a lot of mess.
  2.... KFC's Chicken Twister is refreshing and cool, the perfect lunch, dinner or snack in the summer.
  1.... They taste great!

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