Grand Rapids Native Takes Home a Bucket of Prizes for Purchasing KFC's 500 Millionth Snacker
August 24, 2007 // Franchising.com // LOUISVILLE, KY - When it comes to rewarding loyal customers, no one does it better than the Colonel. Kentucky Fried Chicken celebrated the milestone sale of its 500 millionth KFC Snacker by rewarding Lori Kowalewski of Grand Rapids, Mich. with a prize package fit for a Colonel.
KFC bestowed on Kowalewski, 48, the title of "Chief Snacking Officer" (C.S.O.) for a day. As part of this "promotion," she will receive a walk-on role in a future KFC commercial, a year's supply of KFC Snackers, and a nomination to become an official Kentucky Colonel, much like Colonel Sanders, the founder of KFC. Kowalewski purchased the milestone Snacker at the KFC on 945 Michigan Street in Grand Rapids, Mich.
"Talk about a lucky day," said Kowalewski, "I just came in for some Snackers - one of my favorite lunch meals - and now I'm walking out a potential TV commercial star, C.S.O., Colonel and a well fed customer for a year. Plus, I even got to meet the KFC 'Colonel'."
A Colonel Sanders look-alike was on hand to celebrate the Snacker milestone, and presented the prize package to Kowalewski. KFC introduced the Snacker in March 2005 and the sandwich quickly became one of KFC's most popular menu items, prompting the introduction of additional flavors including the Buffalo, Ultimate Cheese and Fish Snackers. The plan to reward the purchase of the 500 millionth Snacker was kept a secret from customers.
"We'd like to thank all the loyal KFC customers who have purchased a half-billion Snackers," said James O'Reilly, chief marketing officer for KFC. "Celebrating the purchase of the 500 millionth Snacker with our Chief Snacking Officer was a lot of fun, and we're already thinking about ways to celebrate number one billion!"
Lori Kowalewski purchasing the 500 millionth Snacker
The Colonel greets Kowalewski
Celebrating the milestone with restaurant staff
500 Million Snackers: By the Numbers
* Laid end-to-end, 500 million Snackers would circle the Earth more than twice and stack six deep along the complete length of the Great Wall of China.
* Laid on top of each other, 500 million Snackers would reach a third of the way to the moon or the approximate height of 100,000 Empire State Buildings stacked on top of one another.
About KFC
KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Ky., is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain specializing in Original Recipe®, Extra Crispy™ and Colonel's Crispy Strips® with home-style sides, Honey BBQ Wings, and freshly made chicken sandwiches. There are more than 14,000 KFC outlets in more than 80 countries and territories around the world, serving some 12 million customers each day. KFC Corporation is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky. (NYSE: YUM.)
As a KFC franchise owner, we recognize there are many franchising choices. KFC offers value and a strong brand that has proven economic stability.