KFC runs out of chicken after Oprah gives fans coupons for a free meal



Oprah Winfrey's latest offer was meant to provide a free Kentucky Fried Chicken meal for all her fans.

Instead, it sparked a free-for-all after branches across the States ran out of grilled chicken.

People reported bizarre scenes as disgruntled customers threatened to resort to violence as others staged sit-ins demanding their food.

Pictures posted on Twitter showed long lines forming outside KFC restaurants after Oprah gave away coupons for free chicken

Some KFC restaurants warned about the wait - others were simply forced to shut down as Oprah demand overwhelmed them

Worst hit was the East 42nd Street outlet in New York where hundreds turned up at brandishing coupons downloaded from the chat show host's website.

Each voucher could be redeemed for two pieces of grilled chicken, two individual side orders and a biscuit.

Unfortunately, KFC appeared to have been inadequately prepared for the onslaught and were soon having to turn furious customers away.

KFC fans look disgruntled as they continue their tenacious wait for chicken

Internet reports of a full-scale riot, however, appear to have been somewhat exaggerated.

'Some customers were upset because they couldn't get their chicken, but there was no riot,' KFC spokesman Laurie Schalow.

Consequences: Oprah's promotion sparked overwhelming demand

She said the combination of a bad economy and Oprah's popularity had created a 'perfect storm'.

'We prepared for it. We didn't prepare for this extreme.'

'A lot of restaurants experienced very, very heavy traffic with people trying to redeem the coupons,' she said.

The branch intends to start honouring the coupons again today after the kitchen has been restocked.

Customers have until May 19 to redeem their vouchers.

The coupons were available on Oprah.com for 24 hours from Tuesday after the promotion was announced on her show.

A spokesman for the presenter's company Harpo Productions in Chicago said they were not aware of any problems with the coupons.

However, pictures of huge queues, closed stores and complaints were still proliferating online today.









