Fast Food Review: KFC $5 Fill-Up Box

I learned a couple months ago, while reading a restaurant industry publication, that Subway's $5 foot-long promotion has been a massive hit and that the $5 price point is now considered the ideal number that customers respond to. That's why Quiznos introduced their "torpedoes" for $4, Pizza Hut came out with items starting at $5, and Boston Market created a $5 value menu. So it was not surprising to see KFC come out with their "$5 fill-up boxes." I decided to try one the other night.



You can choose from 4 different items to be paired with a side and a drink: two pieces of grilled chicken, three original recipe chicken strips, a "twister wrap," or five hot wings. In other words, nothing I really like. I wish there were other options, like popcorn chicken or boneless wings. I decided to order the twister wrap and hope it was better than the one other time I'd tried it.



I was impressed with the amount of food I received. There were more potato wedges than I could eat, and the wrap was a massive thing, much better than the wrap I had tried at KFC a couple years ago. The thing was the size of a brick and the chicken inside was nice and crispy, not the disappointing, limp chicken I had received the one other time I ordered the original recipe strips.



I did not like this wrap as much as I like a foot-long sandwich from Subway, but this is definitely a better deal. You get a large amount of food, and a drink, for only $5. If Subway were to offer chips and a drink for that same $5, it would certainly be a better deal than KFC. I am not sure if I will try one of these again. It was much better than I expected, but I usually get popcorn chicken at KFC, and that isn't available in the fill-up box.



By the way, I also had a coupon for 4 honey barbecue "Snackers" for 3 dollars. I've only tried that Snacker once and I did not like it. The bread-to-chicken ratio is way too high and the quality of the chicken is way too low. But I decided with that $3 deal I should at least give it another try. They were again lousy. The chicken was tough and there wasn't much of it. El Pollo Loco's chicken sliders are much better than these. I ate one of them with dinner, then the next day I reheated one in the microwave with Jarlsberg cheese and then added cole slaw and a pickle to it. That made it better, but still not good.

Reference: http://animmovablefeast.blogspot.com/2009/07/fast-food-review-kfc-5-fill-up-box.html

Subliminal Hidden Message in KFC Snacker Commercial

Reference: http://retank.blogspot.com/2008/05/subliminal-hidden-message-in-kfc.html

Towson U has redeemed itself - for now

You may recall last week I was bitching about an inedible buffalo chicken sandwich on croissant. If you remember, I got it at the Paws dining area at Towson University, before a graduate class. Well, the folks at TU have proved today that some of their food isn't just fit for dogs. I had a rather tasty, juicy "Tuscan" chicken with pesto, again on a croissant with lettuce and tomato. Much, much better, in every way. No, it's not worth $6, but it's better than most food you will find at Towson or any other university. Not going to Towson anytime soon? Fairly easy to replicate. Just grill a piece of chicken breast and do not dry it out while doing so. Then, put a slice or two o' mater and some lettuce (not iceberg) on a buttery croissant cut in half. Finally, put the chicken on top of the veggies (yes I know, tomato is technically a fruit), and put a generous dollop of basil pesto on top of the chicken. Oh, and close the sandwich.

Reference: http://baltimoresnacker.blogspot.com/2007_02_01_archive.html

What are you doing with your gov't rebate check?

Now that the rebate checks are in the mail and the economic stimulus package is well under way, what are the consumers doing? Clearly the government is hoping you will spend, spend, spend. Unfortunately for retailers, the needle barely moved on consumer spending which was up only 0.2% in April. I had expected more companies to actively market to $106.7 billion up for grabs after Congress passed the bill in February. So far the only thing noticeable is the lack of spending by the consumer and the lack of marketing by the advertisers.



Perhaps overcoming four straight months of job losses, a wobbly stock market, plunging home prices and record high gasoline price hasn't left consumers in a buying mood no matter where the money is coming. But that would be responsible buying behavior and that's NOT the American consumer I know.

Reference: http://marketingcollege.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_archive.html