Two unhappy customers are suing KFC and its parent company Yum! Brands Inc. over a free grilled chicken promotion last month. Customers James Asanuma and Veronica Mora filed a lawsuit June 17 in Los Angeles County Superior Court that accuses KFC of false advertising, fraud and unfair business practices, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. They are seeking class-action for the lawsuit.The promotion, which was announced on The Oprah Winfrey Show in early May, invited customers to download a coupon for a free two-piece grilled chicken meal. However, the giveaway was beset by complications, including technological problems and supply limitations.
About 10 million customers tried to download coupons, but only 4 million ended up being served. KFC ultimately issued staggered rain checks for the meal to customers who were unable to redeem the original coupon.
“We received an overwhelming response to our free Kentucky Grilled chicken offer, and we are distributing rain check coupons for the holders of valid coupons who we were unable to serve during the offer period”, said KFC spokesman Rick Maynard. “We apologize to any customers who were inconvenienced", he continued, "and we remain committed to providing a free Kentucky Grilled Chicken meal plus a medium soft drink to those who submitted valid coupons for replacement coupons. We are unable to comment further on any pending legal issues”.
Asanuma and Mora's lawsuit seeks “full restitution of monies acquired” in the promotion and a declaration that KFC’s practices were unfair, the Times reported.
