Oprah and KFC: What Was She Thinking?

Over the years KFC has made strides to “re-brand” itself from Kentucky Fried Chicken to KFC (as if we wouldn’t know what that stood for) to the new KFC which offers healthier options. Then this week, Oprah (who surely doesn’t need the money to help promote a company) offered coupons on her website for a free KFC meal (2 pieces of grilled chicken, 2 sides and 1 biscuit).

Through the years Oprah has really dug deeply to screen her on air guests. She’s had chefs cooking healthy elegant fare, physicians talking about everything to do with your body, Bob Greene and more. Though I have yet to hear about a dietitian on Oprah…hmm. And, she has made the battle with her weight public – which has surely helped millions of people feel not only accepted and like they aren’t alone but also give them a little push to keep on going, keep making strides to increase their physical activity and eat a healthy diet.

So why would she back KFC? Sure, they added grilled chicken to their menu (kudos for doing that) but their side dishes are starch + more starch (http://www.kfc.com/menu/sides.asp). And, a meal of grilled chicken + starch (I’m sure about 1 out of every 1,000 people chose the green beans and corn without butter combo) + a biscuit is enough food for a linebacker. Not to mention the public outcry when KFC couldn’t handle the masses and the people didn’t get their free food.

Oprah has done an incredible job of not only entertaining her clients but also educating them. And, she’s never been one to endorse products. So why KFC? Why choose a company that still has a long way to go in regard to healthy options? Instead of just giving away free food (sorry KFC, no one thinks of grilled chicken and starts knocking down your doors) it’s time YUM Brands did an overall and hired a dietitian to increase their options and work on making their best selling items a bit healthier as well.