Free KFC Meal!

[*NikkiBell*]

Hi Everyone,

The Oprah Winfrey Show and KFC have teamed up and are offering a FREE meal. Simply go to the link below before 10 p.m. on May 6 and print the coupon. Bring it to any KFC between now and May 19 and you will receive a free two piece grilled chicken dinner with two individual sides and a biscuit. They are encouraging you to print multiple coupons for members of the entire family with a limit of four. As far as they mentioned on the show, this is to promote the new healthy chicken options available at KFC.

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090430-tows-kfc-coupon-download

[spaddy]

I have had the grilled chicken twice since it came out. It is really good. I will print a couple of these coupons. Thanks.

[cchev]

Yummy. Thanks!

[Chuck S]

The website seems to have crashed.

[NWOhioAngela]

It is really good, but be careful if you have a sensitivity to MSG!

[cyberbox2]

Awesome! Now I don't have to pack my lunch tomorrow.

Thanks for the tip NikkiBell:goodvibes

[Emmabean2000]

Crashed on me! Ugh! No chicken for you!

[*NikkiBell*]

Keep trying! The website says that during high usage, it may be slow and to try again later. :)

[Chuck S]

It appears KFC is using the Coupons.com servers. I was going to print out some grocery shopping coupons, and that site is dead, too.

[NWOhioAngela]

It appears KFC is using the Coupons.com servers. I was going to print out com shopping coupons, and that site is dead, too.

Yep, they do. I was able to print out 4 earlier this afternoon, but I hear they are crashing on everybody tonight. Keep trying--they are supposed to be available until 10pm CST.

FYI yo cant use them on Mother's Day if anybody was planning on using them for a cheap dinner for mom.

[wdwluver]

Yup, crashed on me too. I was trying to print out some Purina coupons earlier and couldn't understand why it kept crashing.

This explains it.

Thanks for posting this info NikkiBell!

[Willow1213]

Website worked great for me just a second ago. Thanks for the tip! This will make a great free meal for our drive home!

[Emmabean2000]

Got my chicken coupons! Phew. Now I can cross off "anniversary dinner reservations" off my list!:thumbsup2

[Chuck S]

The link now goes to a pdf file, not the coupons.com site.

[Mouse Skywalker]

Thanks Nikki! :thumbsup2

[*NikkiBell*]

It is up and working again. For some reason, it is letting me print as many coupons as I want. Do your different ones have the same barcode # or is this an error on the site's end?

[Chuck S]

It is up and working again. For some reason, it is letting me print as many coupons as I want. Do your different ones have the same barcode # or is this an error on the site's end?


The link from the Oprah's site is a pdf file now, you can even download it and print them at your leisure. Coupons.com couldn't handle the traffic.

[experiment_627]

Thanks! Those will come in handy on the drive!! :thumbsup2

And I can feed the MIL at least once while she is here watching the critters!

[calypso*a*go-go]

Thanks Nikki -- Just printed mine!

[Willow1213]

I find it odd that it let me print as many as I wanted and they all had coupon # 123456890 :rotfl:
I love that they are not valid on Mother's Day... I guess KFC is a Mother's Day treat to some. Thanks again!

[NWOhioAngela]

I love that they are not valid on Mother's Day... I guess KFC is a Mother's Day treat to some. Thanks again!

When you are so poor you don't know where you next meal is coming from, which is a very real position for a lot of people these days, and some one offers you a free meal, yes you might want to take your mom out somewhere to eat, even if its KFC.

[DVCsince02]

Thank You!

[DavidandLeahZ]

It is up and working again. For some reason, it is letting me print as many coupons as I want. Do your different ones have the same barcode # or is this an error on the site's end?

I printed two earlier when you had to use the coupon printer and they had different barcodes. I printed two now that it is a PDF file and they have the same barcode. 0012345678901234. I wonder if they will work?
-L

[miss missy]

cant install at work :sad2: gotta remember to do it later at home

[DisnyMama]

I printed two earlier when you had to use the coupon printer and they had different barcodes. I printed two now that it is a PDF file and they have the same barcode. 0012345678901234. I wonder if they will work?
-L

Mine have that same barcode and I was wondering the same thing. I guess we will find out!

[Just People]

Awesome, i've been meaning to try the new chicken. BTW, I was able to print only 3 coupons, but all had different numbers under the barcode.

[krissy2803]

Well today was interesting! We gave away over 150 of those free meals. WHEW! :eek:
And to put it into perspective the Oprah show airs around 4pm here, so lucky me the night manager. :rotfl:
They are really pushing that new grilled chicken. I have been with KFC for over 20 years and I have NEVER seen anything as advertised as this.
:hyper:
Krissy

[NWOhioAngela]

They are really pushing that new grilled chicken. I have been with KFC for over 20 years and I have NEVER seen anything as advertised as this.
:hyper:
Krissy

Well thanks for your hard work Krissy! It really is a great promotion.

[SamSam]

I quit eating at KFC long ago, but I'm looking forward to trying the new grilled version. I loved the regular fried version, but the grease didn't love me.

I couldn't print the coupons early evening, but had no trouble at midnight.

[Chuck S]

I redeemed a coupon for lunch. It was really good, so much better than their fried chicken (I gave up on KFC fried a long time ago). I'll be buying these dinners from time to time in the future. :)

[TXYankee]

Nikki,

Thanks for lunch!

Getting a coupon for a free lunch was kind of like winning a cruise on the Prizematron. Well, Not really. But it was still cool.

[crazytp93]

I'm still getting directed to coupons.com servers

[DisneyWorld Delight]

I got one to print. But after that, it told me I couldn't have any more. Anyone run into that?

[SpaceMtnFan]

I just had Grilled Chicken yesterday I may get some more tonight Gooood Chicken Btw

[Nom]

I'm still getting directed to coupons.com servers

me too! :( I don't see a pdf on oprah's site.

[Chuck S]

It directed to a pdf all night, and then coupons.com later this morning.

[NWOhioAngela]

I don't know how reliable this source is, but there are reports that at least one KFC refused to take the coupons (they do say at Participating restaurants) and there was a sit-in protest in Manhattan. I guess they didn't expect it to be such a popular promotion, to which I have to proffer a hearty, "Well, DUH!"

www.gothamist.com/2009/05/06/kfcs_denial_of_grilled_chicken_give.php

[doconeill]

I got the coupons.com site this morning. This site is used by a number of places. You have to install a special coupon printer program (which I HATE doing), and it generally only allows you to print ONE coupon (at least per computer).

But I used, it, and it was tasty. Of course, the coupon does specify that the choice of pieces is at the manager's discretion, so it did seem like I got some scrawny pieces...

[miss missy]

:rotfl: too funny! search KFC Oprah coupon, you'll see riots and such LOL people people :rotfl:

[Chuck S]

:rotfl: too funny! search KFC Oprah coupon, you'll see riots and such LOL people people :rotfl:

It gets better, since the KFC coupon isn't valid on Mother's Day, El Pollo Loco has anounced that THEY will honor the coupon for a free 2 piece meal on Mother's Day. - LOL

[dizneedoll]

It gets better, since the KFC coupon isn't valid on Mother's Day, El Pollo Loco has anounced that THEY will honor the coupon for a free 2 piece meal on Mother's Day. - LOL

No way! Seriously? Well, I know where my husband and son will "surprise" me for Mother's Day now! lol

For those watching the fat grams...the grilled thigh has more than twice the fat grams (9 g) then the breast, wing or drumsticks (4 g) do.

[Chuck S]

No way! Seriously? Well, I know where my husband and son will "surprise" me for Mother's Day now! lol

For those watching the fat grams...the grilled thigh has more than twice the fat grams (9 g) then the breast, wing or drumsticks (4 g) do.

El Pollo Loco KFC Coupon Ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrQX96ka89c) :)

Enjoy your Mothers Day :rotfl:

[calypso*a*go-go]

We tried to use our coupons last night and had to leave...the restaurant was over-run with people and some had been waiting an hour and still hadn't received their orders. They'd let you choose any sides you wanted, but the problem was they were out of just about all of them. We were getting close to the registers when I heard an employee in the back say he was putting the last bag of chicken in -- I wanted to get out before the riot started! :lmao:

[NWOhioAngela]

They shut down the promotion. Now you can go in with your coupon and get a raincheck. They really blew this one. They are not honoring them at all anymore.

More info here:
http://www.kfc.com/coupons/raincheck.asp

[doconeill]

They shut down the promotion. Now you can go in with your coupon and get a raincheck. They really blew this one. They are not honoring them at all anymore.

More info here:
http://www.kfc.com/coupons/raincheck.asp

"OK, Jim, I've got our next promotion...we'll get Oprah to sing praises about our new grilled chicken, and give out coupons for a free meal..."

"Whoa, are you sure? A LOT of people watch Oprah."

"All those housewives? It's only one free meal...it won't be worth it to them so they won't really bother."

"But what about the internet? I heard that once word gets out about something, its like a stampede..."

"Nah...Oprah's fans don't use the Internet...ummmmm...do they?"

"I don't know. Let's try it and see. How bad can it be?"

"OK, I'll set up the web site."

"Should we tell the franchises to be prepared?"

"Nah...they'll have plenty of grilled chicken..."

[NWOhioAngela]

Good one Doc!

It's amazing to me how companies can be so out of touch with what's going on with their customers. Hello? Recession! Did they not think free food was going to be appealing to more than a couple people?

[Chuck S]

How long do you think it will be before some state Attorney General starts investigating under "Bait & Switch" laws? :sad2: After all, they are unilaterally changing the terms of the coupon.

[doconeill]

How long do you think it will be before some state Attorney General starts investigating under "Bait & Switch" laws? :sad2: After all, they are unilaterally changing the terms of the coupon.

I don't think its enough to get the AGs to check it out. they are actually increasing the deal - they are just pushing it off.

Now, given that you have to fill out a form, and then get sent a new coupon...when people don't receive their coupons in the mail the AGs may start poking around the coup...

[Chuck S]

I don't think its enough to get the AGs to check it out. they are actually increasing the deal - they are just pushing it off.

Now, given that you have to fill out a form, and then get sent a new coupon...when people don't receive their coupons in the mail the AGs may start poking around the coup...

It may depend upon how many complaints/inquiries are received by an AGs office, especially in states where the AG is elected by state wide ballot.

Or maybe we'll start seeing "lawyer" adds,

"Were you denied your free meal by KFC? I got this client $10,948.26 in damages. Call me now at 1-800-GIVE-ME-CHICKEN" :lmao:

[NWOhioAngela]

I don't think its enough to get the AGs to check it out. they are actually increasing the deal - they are just pushing it off.

Now, given that you have to fill out a form, and then get sent a new coupon...when people don't receive their coupons in the mail the AGs may start poking around the coup...

Their increase is you now get a free pepsi with the meal, after I jump through all the hoops and send off for the new coupon (is it post paid? Doesn't a stamp cost more than a Pepsi these days? :lmao:) This will go down in marketing history as how not to do a promo.

[doconeill]

Their increase is you now get a free pepsi with the meal, after I jump through all the hoops and send off for the new coupon (is it post paid? Doesn't a stamp cost more than a Pepsi these days? :lmao:) This will go down in marketing history as how not to do a promo.

Oh, I didn't say they were increasing it much...KFC for whatever reason never includes drinks with their meals...but yeah...lots of hoops. I'm sure they simply hope that enough people think it is not worth it.

[Chuck S]

I think Uncle Arthur magically changed the coupons from "Buy 1 get 1 free" to "Free" as a practical joke. Samantha will fix it for McMann & Tate in no time. ;)

[DavidandLeahZ]

We went to a KFC to redeem our coupons a couple days ago- after the major rush was over- at lunchtime. There were about 3 people in line total and no one else had the coupons. We hand them to the cashier and she says, "Ok, 2 two-piece meals with coleslaw and mash." Well, that's what I wanted, but not my husband- he wanted corn and mac & cheese. He tells her this and she says, "I don't have any way to tell them you want something different. I had 50 people use this coupon yesterday and I am not going to keep walking back to the kitchen every time to tell the cooks so that each person can pick their sides." Um, what? We finally convinced her to let us pick, so she turned around and told the cooks what we wanted- she didn't have to walk anywhere, just turned around. Now, I completely understand that yesterday, when she had 50 people using the coupon, they needed to figure out a better system, but that was yesterday. Today it is just us and a couple other people in line. We just smiled politely and thanked her very much for her help.

[Chuck S]

I didn't know any KFC was still taking the coupons. We redeemed a coupon the first day of the promo for lunch, they weren't busy, and yes, it was mashed potatoes and slaw only, which was OK. We went back with another coupon, and we have to mail it in.

[*NikkiBell*]

Just an FYI...

The CEO of KFC was on Oprah late last week talking about the promo. They gave away voer 10 million coupons and were apologizing for any lack in customer service. They also said that they are overwhelmed by the amount of free orders and are giving out rainchecks to stagger the free meals. A free Pepsi will be given as another thank you for everyone's patience.

[SamSam]

I also heard from the manager of our local KFC that the enormous amount of cheating that was going on was a huge part of the problem. Things such as people finding ways to print many more coupons than was allowed, etc., then listing them for sale on Ebay. (I haven't checked on Ebay to see if that was really happening)
Anyway, it was a bit like inviting 6 people to dinner and having each of those 6 people bring 6 guest with them.

Okay, I am editing to add that I just went and checked out Ebay, and sure enough there are a bunch of KFC coupons listed there. Unbelievable!!

[doconeill]

I also heard from the manager of our local KFC that the enormous amount of cheating that was going on was a huge part of the problem. Things such as people finding ways to print many more coupons than was allowed, etc., then listing them for sale on Ebay. (I haven't checked on Ebay to see if that was really happening)
Anyway, it was a bit like inviting 6 people to dinner and having each of those 6 people bring 6 guest with them.

Okay, I am editing to add that I just went and checked out Ebay, and sure enough there are a bunch of KFC coupons listed there. Unbelievable!!

From what I understand, the original coupon was nothing more than a PDF file you could download and print as many times as you want. But when I looked, it was a "CouponPrinter" coupon, for which you must install a program to print the coupon, and it won't let you do it more than once.

There are ways around it, but it involves many hoops to jump through, or at least many computers.

I like how they exclude mechanical reproductions, etc. Technically that's how you print the thing in the first place.

[Chuck S]

From what I understand, the original coupon was nothing more than a PDF file you could download and print as many times as you want.
This is true, in fact I have the pdf file that I downloaded from the Oprah site. It still works, and still prints and unlimited amount of coupons, that is technically not counterfeiting, it is printing original coupons, and in fact Oprah's website said they would honor them. This whole fiasco isn't a result of "illegal coupons" it is the result of an extremely poorly planned and implemented promo, and a national company, with the resources and experience of KFC, should have known better in the first place. Apparently, their local franchisers,from talking to our local manager, weren't even informed of the promo before they started getting bombarded with coupons on May 5th. They gave away about $10,000 in product (and I live in a town of 25,000 people.) That is a lot for a small franchisee to absorb without warning to increase staff and have product on hand.

It almost like some marketing genius said "Hey, let's do a free promo with Oprah" one day, the coupons went out the next, with no analysis of possible costs or public relations repercussions.

[doconeill]

It almost like some marketing genius said "Hey, let's do a free promo with Oprah" one day, the coupons went out the next, with no analysis of possible costs or public relations repercussions.

Gee...I haven't seen that happen with any promotions that Disney does...nope, not at all... :lmao:

[Carolinagal]

We stopped by and picked up a three piece meal to split last night, and have to say I was mighty impressed. (no coupon)

It was so good I kept saying "this can't be healthy!" :rotfl:

[krissy2803]

This is true, in fact I have the pdf file that I downloaded from the Oprah site. It still works, and still prints and unlimited amount of coupons, that is technically not counterfeiting, it is printing original coupons, and in fact Oprah's website said they would honor them. This whole fiasco isn't a result of "illegal coupons" it is the result of an extremely poorly planned and implemented promo, and a national company, with the resources and experience of KFC, should have known better in the first place. Apparently, their local franchisers,from talking to our local manager, weren't even informed of the promo before they started getting bombarded with coupons on May 5th. They gave away about $10,000 in product (and I live in a town of 25,000 people.) That is a lot for a small franchisee to absorb without warning to increase staff and have product on hand.

It almost like some marketing genius said "Hey, let's do a free promo with Oprah" one day, the coupons went out the next, with no analysis of possible costs or public relations repercussions.

You are correct. Our franchise had ONE day notice on this thing. Talk about a mess! :headache:
We were overwhelmed. Everyone was looking for product to borrow from other stores. No one had enough chicken on hand. NIGHTMARE!
And now we get to deal with frustrated guests wondering why we are doing the rainchecks, when they can clearly see we have product available.
I just wanna crawl in a hole and come out when it's all over. :guilty: