(Trinidad Guardian) As KFC celebrates its golden anniversary in T&T, this year the company spoke to the Business Guardian regarding its journey, including challenges and paving the way forward.
Since its establishment in T&T 50 years ago, the fast-food company said it has sold “countless” pieces of chicken, noting that it continues to partner with home-grown entity Arawak as its provider.
KFC seems to rules the roost when it comes to serving chicken.
Operated by Yum! Restaurants International (YRI), it is one of the world’s largest quick service restaurant (QSR) chains with more than 15,500 restaurants in more than 100 countries.
How did KFC come into being in T&T?
According to the company, a group of investors led by Eddie Ahin, was at the time seeking investment opportunities and their research led them to YUM brands in Miami.
YUM then visited the Trinidad and the rest was history.
On June 26, 1973, the franchise in Trinidad was born with its first outlet in St James.
That day, the company said scores of customers lined up on the pavements of 125 Western Main St James, waiting for their first taste of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Fast forward to many years later KFC T&T said it has maintained its commitment to creating exciting new products with Trinbagonians in mind, which is the cornerstone of its product innovation focus.
KFC is not only known for its “Finger Lickin Chicken” but its sandwich segment also continues to grow in popularity.
In 1984, in keeping with KFC T&T’s mandate to constantly innovate, the brand sought to marry its chicken sandwich with its hot and spicy recipe.
The company said this was targeted at the growing market for on-the-go products, noting that the offspring of this was the Zinger, which quickly became its most sought-after sandwich locally.
Years later, the brand, which the company said is very data and research focused, discovered that there was a significant segment of customers who loved dark meat and wanted to access on-the-go meals as well.
This consumer insight was the impetus for the design of the Cruncher Sandwich.
According to the company, based on its success in T&T, these sandwiches were also launched across the globe and are fan favourites in markets like the US, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Jamaica just to name a few.
On whether more women were likely to buy sandwiches than men, KFC said it does not track sales by gender.