rishard.khan@guardian.co.tt
Chief executive officer of Prestige Holding Simon Hardy has admitted the company “got it wrong” when it decided to charge KFC customers for condiments.
“We’ve had some very loud and passionate feedback from our loyal customers as to the charge that we had introduced some weeks ago. I think we got it wrong in this instance. So we’ve listened, we’ve changed our minds and we’re just getting back to welcoming customers - all customers - to our business and this is just one other thing to celebrate in terms of reopening of the business,” Hardy told Guardian Media yesterday hours after the decision to charge for condiments was reversed.
The establishment received heavy criticism on social media when it announced the $2 charge for condiments on March 14. Yesterday, customers said they were pleased with the reversal of the decision.
Guardian Media visited the Independence Square, Port-of-Spain branch around lunchtime, where Jemilia Levience said she was happy to be able to sit and share a meal with her best friend.
Surrounded by several containers of condiments, she was asked if she was seeking to get her money’s worth, to which she said, “Of course! I working for it.”
She said the last time she dined at a KFC was near the start of the pandemic.
Rajesh Harrylal was enjoying a meal with his wife after coming into the capital to conduct business.
“I came from Sangre Grande. I’m enjoying my KFC in town,” he said.
Commenting on the several condiments on his table, he said, “We have everything. We don’t have to pay for it again.”
He was also grateful to be able to sit and enjoy his meal at the establishment.
KFC chose not to operate as a safe zone when the programme was launched in October 2021. That has since been reversed with the abolition of the initiative.
“This buy and go—because when you travel distance to come and you hungry you have to eat on the street! It don’t make sense,” he said.
However, there were some on social media who were sceptical about the company’s about-face on the condiments. For them, the damage was already done.
“I have not forgotten their insensitivity and disrespect with the price raises during the pandemic and lack of condiments. I will support local small businesses. They will never get my $$$ ever again,” Simone Clement said on CNC3’s Facebook page.
