KFC Denies Chicken Riot, But Phone Still Off Hook at 42nd St

Who could have predicted that handing out free meals during the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression would be so messy? KFC locations across America were hammered yesterday by an overwhelming demand for free fowl, after Oprah Winfrey promoted a giveaway for two pieces of KFC's new grilled chicken, two sides, and a biscuit. New York City was particularly hard hit; tipsters tell Midtown Lunch that there were about 50 people "crammed into a very tiny space" during lunch hour at the 50th & 7th Avenue KFC.

And then there was the reported sit-in at the KFC on 42nd Street between Madison and Park. KFC spokesperson Laurie Schalow tells the AP, "We didn't prepare for this extreme. Some customers were upset because they couldn't get their chicken, but there was no riot." However, the phone at that location has been off the hook since yesterday's incident, so there's clearly some sort of cover-up going on. Why haven't we heard from any of the brave demonstrators occupying the KFC?

The coupons for the free meals can no longer be downloaded from the website, but they are valid until May 19th. To those dauntless consumers determined to redeem it, we say Godspeed. But after watching this video from inside a Tyson Foods slaughterhouse, you may want to just stick with the biscuit.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in Food on May 7, 2009 9:58 AM

Comments [rss]

Shinobi Shaw

Frankly I am surprised Oprah is promoting this, this coming from a woman that has been promoting healthy eating (at leats whenever her trainer and Dr. Oz are on) for the last few years?

KFC is horrendous, full of MSG and other nice goodies for your body!

ANd Oprah has on occasion promoted some good stuff (like Eckhart Tolle's Power of NOW, that book changed my life....and I mean that.)

Shinobi Shaw

Frankly I am surprised Oprah is promoting this, this coming from a woman that has been promoting healthy eating (at leats whenever her trainer and Dr. Oz are on) for the last few years?

KFC is horrendous, full of MSG and other nice goodies for your body!

ANd Oprah has on occasion promoted some good stuff (like Eckhart Tolle's Power of NOW, that book changed my life....and I mean that.)

Sid

Read more about Fried Chicken & Oprah at

Fried Chicken & Oprah

tsol

I'm looking forward to headlines about casualties of the KFC stampede of '09....

NannyState

I'd like the three-piece all breast n' biscuit Oprah Meal with a cherry coke...and extra napkins, please.

gothamguy

I walked past the KFC on 42nd Street by Grand Central about an hour ago. There was a line at least a half block long to get in.

JacqueMehoff

I printed out me coupons, thank you wifi.

have food for next week. love me that fattening mashed Potatos.

felixthecat2

Oprah promotes the worst products, Dr Phil, KFC, the secret, etc. No wonder she is so disgusting.

militza

good lord! I've never understood how people eat that stuff. it makes my stomach churn and wishing for a tums at the mere thought of it.

Think2wice

One would imagine an influential, high-brow, A-list, black woman, with weight issues would steer her audience away from having to discard chicken bones.

hotstepper

there is really nothing high-brow about oprah. at all. ever. she is just businesswoman pimping her audience's attention to the highest bidder.

Steven

For $4 bucks??? Good job by Oprah for promoting good health. I wonder how many ate their free meal had some bowel problems today.

Mr Mel

I remember a store that once had a grand opening sale. They ran an ad for a GE transistor radio for 99 Cents and a GE TV for 99 dollars (great prices at the time). However when the ad ran in a newspaper the prices were reversed. The TV was 99 cents and the radio $99. The line started forming early that morning and at opening time there were probably 100 people waiting there. The police did the right thing in asking the store owner not to open and they postponed their opening for a couple of days. A retraction was run and a new ad as well. Of course I couldn't let go so I called and asked for the manager and then asked him if they had any of the $99 radios left.

whitecastlerock

How many of those who obtained the free meal yesterday had irritable bowels today?

themsthebreaks

I thought it was just a free piece of chicken, not a whole meal...damn, wish I'd known to print a coupon. I like KFC's mashed potatoes enough to eat a free meal there.

negtive

Coverup? Bah. They're probably not answering the phone because they're sick of the media calling about the non-riot.

valeriob

Great picture!

PS there is no way of tracking these coupons, once you have one you can distribute them to your friends (who eat this crap).

colonelcasey

These coupons are valid for another week and a half! It's pathetic people are whining that they can't get a free meal when they can easily go back another day.