While many fast-food companies are known to commit mistakes while serving food, it is not so common for them to send offensive message to their customers. Something on those lines happened in Germany.
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In an extremely unthought out move, KFC Germany sent their customers a message which people found to be generally distasteful at best, and widely offensive at worst.
KFC’s problematic push notification to customers
As reported by The Guardian, KFC sent push notifications to their customers in Germany to celebrate the anniversary of the Nazi Kristallnacht by ordering in some fried chicken. The message read,
Commemorate Kristallnacht – treat yourself to more soft cheese and crispy chicken. Now at KFCheese!
Nazi Kristallnacht is the anniversary of one of the darkest days in the history of Germany. It was on that night between 9 and 10 November, 1938, when the Nazis and the mobs encouraged by them vandalised and ransacked Jewish establishments and synagogues across Germany. This day marks the beginning of a very dark period in Germany when Jews were systematically exterminated by the Nazi led pogrom.
The message came off as very insensitive and tone-deaf considering the painful memory of this day in the national consciousness.
KFC’s apology
After an hour of the message, KFC contacted their customers letting them know that the message was a mistake due to a fault in their system. The company is quoted as saying,
We are very sorry, we will check our internal processes immediately so that this doesn’t happen again. Please excuse the error.
It has been speculated that the message must be auto-generated but people were still left shocked and surprised at the company’s ineptitude at regulating their communication.
Sources used:
The Guardian: KFC apologises for Kristallnacht chicken and cheese promotion
