KFC turns away angry customers after special offer TV spot generates frenzy

"The TV commercial generated 10 times the expected sales," said Jessie Wang, business director, Ogilvy & Mather Advertising Taipei. Ogilvy is KFC's AOR for Greater China's three markets.

Bombarded with complaints, the Fair Trade Commission sent staff undercover to the chicken franchises counters on Wednesday.

The supply snafu was confirmed, and the FTC suggested ways to clarify KFC's instore and online communications to decide on the best action to be taken given this contingency.

As currently shown on KFC's Taiwan website, the promotion runs Monday through Saturday, with a different regularly priced combo meal each day. Purchasers can buy a second specified item for only NT$1(US$.03).

Asked if KFC's mistake would harm the franchise's image, Yi-lin Yu, assistant professor of advertising and public relations, Fu-Jen Catholic University. said: "Not long-term. KFC doesn't have a competitor in this market that is at an equal level."

Yu argued that the incident would quickly blow over. "That is how it is here... the media jumps on the story, and shortly thereafter everyone forgets. If KFC apologises, that is enough. That is the Taiwan character."