No chicken for you! (and no wages for you)
February 19, 2018 5:26 PM Subscribe
While in the USA they sell scratch and sniff cards, and in Australia serve tanks and discuss naked wrestling, in the UK KFC aren't doing well. Following several days of closures and "everything but chicken" menus, most branches of KFC stay shut. This began when, though warned, KFC switched to a cheaper deliverer - "optimised delivery scheduling" - who promptly could not deliver ("It's pretty complex!"). Speculation on why continues, while KFC staff are being accused of chicken smuggling and "encouraged" to take holidays by KFC. Politicians have been contacted by constituents (some resorting to vegetables), while closures also affect Taco Bell. As ever, Twitter (and dead royalty) is unhappy, though in the not-distant future, a tasty new flavour of chicken may be sold in Britain. Mmm!
After a few no-chicken-today KFC experiences here in the US, I put the Colonel out to pasture, a sadly missed casualty of childhood faves. I'm not even sure how he got over to Blighty, but it's interesting to note that for a dead man, he makes a terrible CEO on a global scale.
posted by mwhybark at 5:43 PM on February 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by mwhybark at 5:43 PM on February 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
in the not-distant future, a tasty new flavour of chicken may be sold in Britain.
One of the few occasions when "tastes like chicken" is not appropriate.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:53 PM on February 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
One of the few occasions when "tastes like chicken" is not appropriate.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:53 PM on February 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
One family size steamed hams bucket, please
posted by thelonius at 6:01 PM on February 19, 2018 [13 favorites]
posted by thelonius at 6:01 PM on February 19, 2018 [13 favorites]
To make matters worse, that's not a tank, it's an armoured car. Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine; not everything that's painted green is a tank.
The CEO of KFC should take any pay hit for the fuck-up, not the workers.
posted by dazed_one at 6:02 PM on February 19, 2018 [9 favorites]
The CEO of KFC should take any pay hit for the fuck-up, not the workers.
posted by dazed_one at 6:02 PM on February 19, 2018 [9 favorites]
Some Googling, including a very helpful resource that describes industry best practices for new farmers, suggests that the problem with chlorinated chicken is not actually the process itself, which is fine. (This resource suggests a chlorine wash that's about 1/10th of the strength of the wash used in the US). The problem is that the chlorine wash disguises more serious animal welfare issues and disease. If your underlying process is sound, you can get away with a UV wash (although a soft chlorine wash is more cost-effective if you can). If your chickens aren't being properly vaccinated and taken care of, you have to use a chlorine wash for the chicken to be edible. This is why the EU banned chlorine washes: it's a low-regulation way to force suppliers to ensure animal welfare through the entire process.
For the same reason, Americans usually refrigerate their eggs, while the British rarely do. American eggs don't stay healthy at room temperature.
posted by Merus at 6:05 PM on February 19, 2018 [27 favorites]
For the same reason, Americans usually refrigerate their eggs, while the British rarely do. American eggs don't stay healthy at room temperature.
posted by Merus at 6:05 PM on February 19, 2018 [27 favorites]
It's herbs and spices all the way through!
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:12 PM on February 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:12 PM on February 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
It's herbs and spices all the way through!
With my 49 year old and not-as-reliable-as-it-used-to-be colon, it always is :-(
posted by Wordshore at 6:17 PM on February 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
With my 49 year old and not-as-reliable-as-it-used-to-be colon, it always is :-(
posted by Wordshore at 6:17 PM on February 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
I don't know how Reba is going to get them out of this one.
posted by rhizome at 6:19 PM on February 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 6:19 PM on February 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
One family size steamed hams bucket, please
I'm from Albany and I've only ever heard that used as a term for hamburgers not fried chicken.
posted by Talez at 6:31 PM on February 19, 2018 [16 favorites]
I'm from Albany and I've only ever heard that used as a term for hamburgers not fried chicken.
posted by Talez at 6:31 PM on February 19, 2018 [16 favorites]
Why does KFC come in a bucket?
So you have something to throw up in after you eat
posted by porn in the woods at 6:31 PM on February 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
So you have something to throw up in after you eat
posted by porn in the woods at 6:31 PM on February 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
Why does KFC come in a bucket?
So you have something to throw up in after you eat
That’s not the only reason.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 6:35 PM on February 19, 2018 [9 favorites]
So you have something to throw up in after you eat
That’s not the only reason.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 6:35 PM on February 19, 2018 [9 favorites]
For the same reason, Americans usually refrigerate their eggs, while the British rarely do. American eggs don't stay healthy at room temperature.
And proper French mousse is egg whites not dairy.
posted by Talez at 6:42 PM on February 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
And proper French mousse is egg whites not dairy.
posted by Talez at 6:42 PM on February 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
Well, they occasionally do something right, because thanks to a successful 1974 marketing campaign, KFC is now the 'semi-traditional' Christmas Dinner in Japan.
posted by oneswellfoop at 7:07 PM on February 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 7:07 PM on February 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
NO NOT MY TACO BELL
posted by elsietheeel at 7:21 PM on February 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by elsietheeel at 7:21 PM on February 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
KFC switched to a cheaper deliverer - "optimised delivery scheduling" - who promptly could not deliver
This is my surprised face.
Unfettered capitalism strikes again.
posted by soundguy99 at 7:30 PM on February 19, 2018 [17 favorites]
This is my surprised face.
Unfettered capitalism strikes again.
posted by soundguy99 at 7:30 PM on February 19, 2018 [17 favorites]
Everybody knows you don’t hire a colonel to manage supply lines to an island. You need a sailor man for that.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 7:31 PM on February 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 7:31 PM on February 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
KFC switched to a cheaper deliverer - "optimised delivery scheduling" - who promptly could not deliver
So, we've only had 100 years to learn that Taylorism doesn't work. Clearly we should try it again, only this time with smartphones...
posted by ocschwar at 7:32 PM on February 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
So, we've only had 100 years to learn that Taylorism doesn't work. Clearly we should try it again, only this time with smartphones...
posted by ocschwar at 7:32 PM on February 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
I'm from Albany and I've only ever heard that used as a term for hamburgers not fried chicken.
It's more of a Montour Falls thing.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:33 PM on February 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
It's more of a Montour Falls thing.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:33 PM on February 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
John Boulter, DHL’s managing director of retail said: “We intend to re-write the rule book
There's usually a rule book for a good fucking reason.
posted by Jimbob at 7:35 PM on February 19, 2018 [19 favorites]
There's usually a rule book for a good fucking reason.
posted by Jimbob at 7:35 PM on February 19, 2018 [19 favorites]
Really, you don't need the chicken in KFC. You want the deep-fried coating covered in the herbs and spices. If they just made a chip out of that, or maybe a mozzarella stick, they would be fine. And vegetarian!
posted by turbid dahlia at 7:58 PM on February 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by turbid dahlia at 7:58 PM on February 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
Kentucky Fried Cheese. The name's already there!
posted by turbid dahlia at 7:58 PM on February 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by turbid dahlia at 7:58 PM on February 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
Kentucky Fried Haggis or GTFO.
posted by Halloween Jack at 8:08 PM on February 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by Halloween Jack at 8:08 PM on February 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
So, we've only had 100 years to learn that Taylorism doesn't work. Clearly we should try it again, only this time with smartphones
What if management theory, but too much?
posted by rhizome at 8:25 PM on February 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
What if management theory, but too much?
posted by rhizome at 8:25 PM on February 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
omg Kentucky Fried Fry's Polony.
posted by turbid dahlia at 8:25 PM on February 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by turbid dahlia at 8:25 PM on February 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
I'd be willing to trade one of our local KFCs for a Nando's.
posted by Standard Orange at 8:29 PM on February 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by Standard Orange at 8:29 PM on February 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
It's terrifying how often people in powerful positions fail to realise that some things have a minimum cost. Below that level, you cannot provide the same service or product. If you've optimised the fleet, the routing, the package size, and the time on task, the only real ways left for you to save money are paying people less or doing fewer deliveries, below the agreed-upon-level.
I have seen a number of transitions in the technical sphere in my time and no-one has ever really delivered on "same service but cheaper" for well-established systems. I should note, for completeness, that "worse service but more expensive once we add in all the things that we forgot about in the cheaper contract" is still doing brilliantly and making many people wealthy.
I have a strict "put up or shut up" policy in the technical and service sphere now. If the capability or product isn't available for demonstration/tech shoot-out (even in a strong beta) then it gets automatically classified as "worse" and, unless it's free*, it's time to move on. DHL apparently didn't have the capability and, if that's the case, someone needs to get the lawyers in.
*Sometimes free is too expensive.
posted by nfalkner at 8:34 PM on February 19, 2018 [30 favorites]
I have seen a number of transitions in the technical sphere in my time and no-one has ever really delivered on "same service but cheaper" for well-established systems. I should note, for completeness, that "worse service but more expensive once we add in all the things that we forgot about in the cheaper contract" is still doing brilliantly and making many people wealthy.
I have a strict "put up or shut up" policy in the technical and service sphere now. If the capability or product isn't available for demonstration/tech shoot-out (even in a strong beta) then it gets automatically classified as "worse" and, unless it's free*, it's time to move on. DHL apparently didn't have the capability and, if that's the case, someone needs to get the lawyers in.
*Sometimes free is too expensive.
posted by nfalkner at 8:34 PM on February 19, 2018 [30 favorites]
Time To Nando's Mention (TTNM): 3 hrs 3 min
posted by user92371 at 11:16 PM on February 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by user92371 at 11:16 PM on February 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
And proper French mousse is egg whites not dairy.
Carbonara also, a large proportion of Italians are lactose intolerant.
posted by deadwax at 12:06 AM on February 20, 2018
Carbonara also, a large proportion of Italians are lactose intolerant.
posted by deadwax at 12:06 AM on February 20, 2018
Well, they occasionally do something right, because thanks to a successful 1974 marketing campaign, KFC is now the 'semi-traditional' Christmas Dinner in Japan.
Not only that but for 2017 "KFC Japan’s sales between December 23 and 25 are calculated to be over 6 billion yen (about US$53 million)"
And that's with every single super market and convenience store chain trying to horn in on the chicken for Christmas market.
posted by LostInUbe at 1:51 AM on February 20, 2018
Not only that but for 2017 "KFC Japan’s sales between December 23 and 25 are calculated to be over 6 billion yen (about US$53 million)"
And that's with every single super market and convenience store chain trying to horn in on the chicken for Christmas market.
posted by LostInUbe at 1:51 AM on February 20, 2018
Time To Nando's Mention (TTNM): 3 hrs 3 min
I read it just as I was checking the thread for Nandos. Nandos also has its controversies - but it was also voted one of the best companies to work for in the UK. Eating there one day and at KFC the next, illustrates nicely just how far the world has moved on from the days when the latter was in the running. Nandos seems to exist in a world that cares, at least in moderate amounts, about making tasty food for a cosmopolitan clientele - and in an environment where staff are happy.
posted by rongorongo at 1:52 AM on February 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
I read it just as I was checking the thread for Nandos. Nandos also has its controversies - but it was also voted one of the best companies to work for in the UK. Eating there one day and at KFC the next, illustrates nicely just how far the world has moved on from the days when the latter was in the running. Nandos seems to exist in a world that cares, at least in moderate amounts, about making tasty food for a cosmopolitan clientele - and in an environment where staff are happy.
posted by rongorongo at 1:52 AM on February 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
DHL? I'm frankly surprised they didn't just throw the chicken over the wall into KFC's back garden, then leave a note claiming they rang the bell but no one was home.
Not that I'm bitter.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 2:34 AM on February 20, 2018 [31 favorites]
Not that I'm bitter.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 2:34 AM on February 20, 2018 [31 favorites]
DHL? I'm frankly surprised they didn't just throw the chicken over the wall into KFC's back garden, then leave a note claiming they rang the bell but no one was home.
I once was watching out my front window as the DHL truck slowed down slightly, threw my package out of the moving truck into the driveway, and continued on. When I called to complain I was told that could not have happened as it was against policy. They weren't amused by my follow up question, "Why do you need a policy against throwing packages from a moving truck?"
posted by COD at 5:39 AM on February 20, 2018 [22 favorites]
I once was watching out my front window as the DHL truck slowed down slightly, threw my package out of the moving truck into the driveway, and continued on. When I called to complain I was told that could not have happened as it was against policy. They weren't amused by my follow up question, "Why do you need a policy against throwing packages from a moving truck?"
posted by COD at 5:39 AM on February 20, 2018 [22 favorites]
I regret that our British cousins lack the joy of Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen. Their 2 piece/spicy with a biscuit and side of beans and rice is transcendental for "Quick Service"
posted by mikelieman at 5:46 AM on February 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by mikelieman at 5:46 AM on February 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
mikelieman, I moved from New Orleans to the UK.
NONE OF YOU UNDERSTAND MY PAIN RIGHT NOW.
It's bad enough that no chicken shop sells mashed potatoes. Sure, I can get gravy, but then fries? Unsalted fries?
And no biscuits! And I can't explain biscuits to people because they just don't get it! Even when I hold up a cheese scone and go "Like this, but no cheese" and it still doesn't make sense to them!
All I want out of life is three pieces of Popeyes, mashed potatoes, and biscuits. That's it.
posted by Katemonkey at 5:57 AM on February 20, 2018 [17 favorites]
NONE OF YOU UNDERSTAND MY PAIN RIGHT NOW.
It's bad enough that no chicken shop sells mashed potatoes. Sure, I can get gravy, but then fries? Unsalted fries?
And no biscuits! And I can't explain biscuits to people because they just don't get it! Even when I hold up a cheese scone and go "Like this, but no cheese" and it still doesn't make sense to them!
All I want out of life is three pieces of Popeyes, mashed potatoes, and biscuits. That's it.
posted by Katemonkey at 5:57 AM on February 20, 2018 [17 favorites]
perhaps this heralds a new era of unpleasant surprises at franchise restaurants, like "Olive Garden: While You're Here, Don't Ever Go Against The Family"
posted by thelonius at 6:01 AM on February 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by thelonius at 6:01 AM on February 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
Really, you don't need the chicken in KFC. You want the deep-fried coating covered in the herbs and spices. If they just made a chip out of that, or maybe a mozzarella stick, they would be fine. And vegetarian!
Ah yes, the Long John Silver's business plan!
posted by ArgentCorvid at 6:30 AM on February 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
Ah yes, the Long John Silver's business plan!
posted by ArgentCorvid at 6:30 AM on February 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
BBC: KFC says 430 of its outlets were open as of 13:00 on Tuesday compared with 325 at 21:00 on Monday. However, even some of these are only offering a limited menu or have shorter opening hours.
As for exactly why it is happening, you choose your 'news' source and pick your theory being passed off as fact:
LBC Radio: But Dominic, who works as a fridge lorry driver, told Ian Collins that "I know where the chicken is" as he explained what has gone wrong.
He said: "It's on the back of a lorry still. Everything comes in through Harwich and Felixstowe ports overnight and is trucked up to the RDC (Regional Distribution Centre).
"When DHL took over, they build a new RDC to handle the chicken contract. But there was no changeover period and the RDC is not actually finished yet, it's a building site.
"I've got friends that have been sat there for four or five days waiting to unload who have loads of chicken."
The Sun (no link because it's The Sun): "It is believed the crisis began on Wednesday — the day DHL took over delivery duties — triggered by an accident that shut the M6 and caused traffic gridlock.
An insider said: “Some DHL lorries were sat in traffic for hours and it kick-started a huge backlog of deliveries.
“They couldn’t get enough drivers together to clear the backlog then in the chaos trucks were delivering wrong stock or out-of-date stock which had to be sent back.
“It’s a logistical nightmare for DHL. They just didn’t have the set-up to deal with it.”
The DHL depot at Rugby, Warwicks, was yesterday described as “total mayhem” — with pictures showing thousands of trays of chicken waiting to be loaded on lorries." [notably none of the alleged 'pictures' are shown]
posted by Wordshore at 6:37 AM on February 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
As for exactly why it is happening, you choose your 'news' source and pick your theory being passed off as fact:
LBC Radio: But Dominic, who works as a fridge lorry driver, told Ian Collins that "I know where the chicken is" as he explained what has gone wrong.
He said: "It's on the back of a lorry still. Everything comes in through Harwich and Felixstowe ports overnight and is trucked up to the RDC (Regional Distribution Centre).
"When DHL took over, they build a new RDC to handle the chicken contract. But there was no changeover period and the RDC is not actually finished yet, it's a building site.
"I've got friends that have been sat there for four or five days waiting to unload who have loads of chicken."
The Sun (no link because it's The Sun): "It is believed the crisis began on Wednesday — the day DHL took over delivery duties — triggered by an accident that shut the M6 and caused traffic gridlock.
An insider said: “Some DHL lorries were sat in traffic for hours and it kick-started a huge backlog of deliveries.
“They couldn’t get enough drivers together to clear the backlog then in the chaos trucks were delivering wrong stock or out-of-date stock which had to be sent back.
“It’s a logistical nightmare for DHL. They just didn’t have the set-up to deal with it.”
The DHL depot at Rugby, Warwicks, was yesterday described as “total mayhem” — with pictures showing thousands of trays of chicken waiting to be loaded on lorries." [notably none of the alleged 'pictures' are shown]
posted by Wordshore at 6:37 AM on February 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
Ye Olde Bojangles'
Does sweet tea exist in Great Britain?
posted by Rock Steady at 6:38 AM on February 20, 2018
Does sweet tea exist in Great Britain?
posted by Rock Steady at 6:38 AM on February 20, 2018
An academic paper (PDF format) describes, in detail, the logistics of chicken distribution.
@DavidBrockley: I’m pretty sure that DHL is regretting being renamed ‘Delivers Hens Late’ too.
(To the people on social media complaining that other people are making fun of DHL "who are trying their best to deliver": after my new laptop, which supposedly needed a delivery signature, was left in the open rain of a communal courtyard and DHL on the phone claimed [lied] that it had been signed for - zero sympathy)
posted by Wordshore at 6:43 AM on February 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
@DavidBrockley: I’m pretty sure that DHL is regretting being renamed ‘Delivers Hens Late’ too.
(To the people on social media complaining that other people are making fun of DHL "who are trying their best to deliver": after my new laptop, which supposedly needed a delivery signature, was left in the open rain of a communal courtyard and DHL on the phone claimed [lied] that it had been signed for - zero sympathy)
posted by Wordshore at 6:43 AM on February 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
but then fries? Unsalted fries?
Why would you need unsalted fries? In Australia KFC even seasons the fries with chicken salt just like the fish and chip shop because it's so delicious.
posted by Talez at 6:44 AM on February 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
Why would you need unsalted fries? In Australia KFC even seasons the fries with chicken salt just like the fish and chip shop because it's so delicious.
posted by Talez at 6:44 AM on February 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
The day I found out that those chicken salted fries were not available in the US was the day I swore off KFC for life.
posted by Talez at 6:45 AM on February 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Talez at 6:45 AM on February 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
chicken salt
What the ever-loving Gaia is this? /me googles
OH. I need to make some.
TW: reddit, but not the bad places
What the ever-loving Gaia is this? /me googles
OH. I need to make some.
TW: reddit, but not the bad places
Alit_Quarposted by mikelieman at 6:54 AM on February 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
2629 points 1 month ago
Chicken Salt Recipe
Ingredients:
6 Tbsp table salt
1 Tbsp chicken bouillon
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp sweet paprika
1 tsp white pepper
1 tsp celery seed
Directions:
Place in clear glass bowl. Mix well with spoon. Place blue plate that doesn't quite fit on bowl. Shake well, spilling liberally on table. Sprinkle over fries and serve hot.
P.S.: I screwed up, and converted the chicken bouillon, garlic powder, and paprika from 3tsp to 1Tbsp, without knowing about Australian measures where 4 tsp aus == 1 Tbsp aus . Legacy UK/Imperial/Crown issues aside, in reasonable metric units, it should be.
120 ml table salt
15 ml chicken bouillon
15 ml garlic powder
15 ml sweet paprika
5 ml white pepper
5 ml celery seed
posted by mikelieman at 7:01 AM on February 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
120 ml table salt
15 ml chicken bouillon
15 ml garlic powder
15 ml sweet paprika
5 ml white pepper
5 ml celery seed
posted by mikelieman at 7:01 AM on February 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
Guardian (good read): "Technology analyst Chris Green said DHL, and its software partner, Quick Service Logistics, appeared to have failed to properly match up data from KFC’s ordering process to its new system.
He said: “If you were one of KFC’s 750 franchisee you could order your replacement chicken and other supplies and usually within about 24 hours a lorry from BidVest would appear outside your store with what you needed. The stores were used to that kind of just-in-time ordering, and that’s what’s caught them out."
posted by Wordshore at 7:02 AM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
He said: “If you were one of KFC’s 750 franchisee you could order your replacement chicken and other supplies and usually within about 24 hours a lorry from BidVest would appear outside your store with what you needed. The stores were used to that kind of just-in-time ordering, and that’s what’s caught them out."
posted by Wordshore at 7:02 AM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
@MPSTowerHam (Tower Hamlets Police): Please do not contact us about the #KFCCrisis - it is not a police matter if your favourite eatery is not serving the menu that you desire.
posted by Wordshore at 7:04 AM on February 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by Wordshore at 7:04 AM on February 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
Ok, forget everything I've said. Now I'm seeing recipes with 60ml bouillon, garlic, and paprika. 7.5 ml white pepper. This is going to require some experimentation. I won't be able to report back for a few days ( not planning on going to the store, and need celery seed ) but if anyone experiments before me, I'd like to hear the results. ( memail ? )
posted by mikelieman at 7:07 AM on February 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by mikelieman at 7:07 AM on February 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
Of course after I posted that comment about Long John Silver's, I remembered the fact that they and KFC were both owned by YUM! brands (ugh), and I was thinking there could be some cross-brand idea transfer, but apparently LJS got sold off in 2011.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 7:30 AM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by ArgentCorvid at 7:30 AM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
Ok, forget everything I've said. Now I'm seeing recipes with 60ml bouillon, garlic, and paprika. 7.5 ml white pepper. This is going to require some experimentation. I won't be able to report back for a few days ( not planning on going to the store, and need celery seed ) but if anyone experiments before me, I'd like to hear the results. ( memail ? )
All those recipes are an attempt to avoid MSG and make "healthy" chicken salt. The real recipe is 45-45 salt and various glutamates with the rest being a bit of onion extract and some spices.
Chicken salt without glutamate is like low fat ice cream. It's really not that better for you and is largely pointless.
posted by Talez at 9:12 AM on February 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
All those recipes are an attempt to avoid MSG and make "healthy" chicken salt. The real recipe is 45-45 salt and various glutamates with the rest being a bit of onion extract and some spices.
Chicken salt without glutamate is like low fat ice cream. It's really not that better for you and is largely pointless.
posted by Talez at 9:12 AM on February 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
Australians are all about yeast. We love our bread (my kingdom for a Baker's Delight franchise), we love our beer (no sex in canoes allowed in our country), and we love scraping the bottom of those beer barrels and turning that yeast into delicious things.
One of those things is chicken salt. The other is Vegemite.
posted by Talez at 9:14 AM on February 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
One of those things is chicken salt. The other is Vegemite.
posted by Talez at 9:14 AM on February 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
The advert from Japan currently going viral on social media may explain where all our chickens have gone. (Caution for ... I don't know what, just feel I should put a caution here)
posted by Wordshore at 9:45 AM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Wordshore at 9:45 AM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
The Chaser's Guide to Australia says that chicken salt does not contain chicken; the inclusion of chicken bouillon seems to contradict that.
posted by acb at 10:04 AM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by acb at 10:04 AM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
There is no chicken in commercial chicken salt. There’s also no chicken in chicken Twisties or chicken flavored Smith’s either.
posted by Talez at 10:30 AM on February 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Talez at 10:30 AM on February 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
Just your friendly reminder that Nando's is South Africa's finest export followed by Rugby players and diamonds.
posted by PenDevil at 10:42 AM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by PenDevil at 10:42 AM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
You'd almost think Adam Smith said something about there being a lot of ruin in a great nation.
posted by srboisvert at 11:50 AM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by srboisvert at 11:50 AM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
All I want out of life is three pieces of Popeyes, mashed potatoes, and biscuits. That's it.
I'll send you the Popeye's but in return I want three quid fish and chips wrapped in several pieces of newsprint and a bus stop to litter in.
posted by srboisvert at 11:59 AM on February 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
I'll send you the Popeye's but in return I want three quid fish and chips wrapped in several pieces of newsprint and a bus stop to litter in.
posted by srboisvert at 11:59 AM on February 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
Somewhere far away, hot salt tears roll over Jo Ann Worley's dimple.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 12:12 PM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 12:12 PM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
I'm not surprised that DHL messed up the deliveries. When I was in a job that made heavy use of DHL international shiping we referred to them as "Destroy Hide or Lose".
posted by w0mbat at 12:28 PM on February 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by w0mbat at 12:28 PM on February 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
For the same reason, Americans usually refrigerate their eggs, while the UK-EU rarely do. American eggs don't stay healthy at room temperature.
American eggs washed before sent to market to remove poop, in the process this removes the natural anti-bacterial bloom found on eggs. UK-EU eggs are unwashed and therefore can be sold and stored at room temperature.
American regulators are concerned poop on the shell could lead to contamination. EU regulators are concerned improper washing could lead to contamination, and forcing the farmers to produce clean eggs means good animal husbandry. Neither are wrong both are approaches to safety from a different perspective.
[source]
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 2:33 PM on February 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
American eggs washed before sent to market to remove poop, in the process this removes the natural anti-bacterial bloom found on eggs. UK-EU eggs are unwashed and therefore can be sold and stored at room temperature.
American regulators are concerned poop on the shell could lead to contamination. EU regulators are concerned improper washing could lead to contamination, and forcing the farmers to produce clean eggs means good animal husbandry. Neither are wrong both are approaches to safety from a different perspective.
[source]
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 2:33 PM on February 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
Ok, forget everything I've said. Now I'm seeing recipes with 60ml bouillon, garlic, and paprika. 7.5 ml white pepper. This is going to require some experimentation.
There's a lot of variation in chicken salt recipes; unfortunately, chicken salt available in supermarkets often ends up not being "real" chicken salt i.e. the stuff the fish and chip shop uses. Proper chicken salt is bright yellow, which presumably rules out the paprika recipes.
It might be worth ordering some from Australia to get a sense of what chicken salt is supposed to taste like.
There’s also no chicken in chicken Twisties
Also, look up Twisties. They are not what you expect.
posted by Merus at 3:44 PM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
There's a lot of variation in chicken salt recipes; unfortunately, chicken salt available in supermarkets often ends up not being "real" chicken salt i.e. the stuff the fish and chip shop uses. Proper chicken salt is bright yellow, which presumably rules out the paprika recipes.
It might be worth ordering some from Australia to get a sense of what chicken salt is supposed to taste like.
There’s also no chicken in chicken Twisties
Also, look up Twisties. They are not what you expect.
posted by Merus at 3:44 PM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
Eating there one day and at KFC the next, illustrates nicely just how far the world has moved on from the days when the latter was in the running. Nandos seems to exist in a world that cares, at least in moderate amounts, about making tasty food for a cosmopolitan clientele - and in an environment where staff are happy.
It's weird how dodgy KFC is - here in Australia, even McDonald's has lifted their game*, but KFC still offer food that's universally not quite what you wanted, in restaurants they don't properly clean or maintain. They can't even consistently salt the chips.
Sydney's recently gone through a fried chicken fad (Koreans do pretty great fried chicken, and after the premium burger fad wound down the next obvious place to go is fried chicken) which has meant that there's almost no reason to eat at KFC. McDonald's or Subway is a little more expensive but usually much nicer and certainly more consistent, and if you want that greasy fried chicken taste there are all sorts of places that will give you bigger, crunchier servings with better chips, including a fried chicken breast bigger than your hand.
* to be fair, Australia is far enough away that they can't be micromanaged by head office, and Australian McDonald's do actually try to be decent. Australian Burger King actually was so cut off from the American operation that it changed its name to Hungry Jack's and replaced half the menu before head office realised. They even tried to relaunch the brand, competing with Hungry Jack's in some locations, and lost.
posted by Merus at 3:57 PM on February 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
It's weird how dodgy KFC is - here in Australia, even McDonald's has lifted their game*, but KFC still offer food that's universally not quite what you wanted, in restaurants they don't properly clean or maintain. They can't even consistently salt the chips.
Sydney's recently gone through a fried chicken fad (Koreans do pretty great fried chicken, and after the premium burger fad wound down the next obvious place to go is fried chicken) which has meant that there's almost no reason to eat at KFC. McDonald's or Subway is a little more expensive but usually much nicer and certainly more consistent, and if you want that greasy fried chicken taste there are all sorts of places that will give you bigger, crunchier servings with better chips, including a fried chicken breast bigger than your hand.
* to be fair, Australia is far enough away that they can't be micromanaged by head office, and Australian McDonald's do actually try to be decent. Australian Burger King actually was so cut off from the American operation that it changed its name to Hungry Jack's and replaced half the menu before head office realised. They even tried to relaunch the brand, competing with Hungry Jack's in some locations, and lost.
posted by Merus at 3:57 PM on February 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
Australian Burger King actually was so cut off from the American operation that it changed its name to Hungry Jack's and replaced half the menu before head office realised.
The Burger King trademark was already owned by a guy in Adelaide when they tried to introduce to the Australian market.
posted by Talez at 4:10 PM on February 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
The Burger King trademark was already owned by a guy in Adelaide when they tried to introduce to the Australian market.
posted by Talez at 4:10 PM on February 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
Proper chicken salt is bright yellow, which presumably rules out the paprika recipes.
Doing a bit of digging, I found 25kg sacks of Frutex's "Windsor Farms" brand, which is yellow, and seems to be the scale needed for chip shops foodservice orders.
Salt,Sugar,Maize Starch,Flavour Enhancer (E621) (AKA MSG),Chicken Flavour,Spices
So, there's a good hit of sugar in there, plus cornstarch to make it flow.
posted by mikelieman at 4:52 PM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
Doing a bit of digging, I found 25kg sacks of Frutex's "Windsor Farms" brand, which is yellow, and seems to be the scale needed for chip shops foodservice orders.
Salt,Sugar,Maize Starch,Flavour Enhancer (E621) (AKA MSG),Chicken Flavour,Spices
So, there's a good hit of sugar in there, plus cornstarch to make it flow.
posted by mikelieman at 4:52 PM on February 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
> in reasonable metric units
It's too late, all hope was already lost when they listed a bunch of powders by volume.
posted by lucidium at 6:39 PM on February 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
It's too late, all hope was already lost when they listed a bunch of powders by volume.
posted by lucidium at 6:39 PM on February 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
So, there's a good hit of sugar in there, plus cornstarch to make it flow.
The spice must flow
posted by coriolisdave at 7:47 PM on February 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
The spice must flow
posted by coriolisdave at 7:47 PM on February 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
The crises is interesting from the point of view of the KFC franchise manager. These people were used to ordering their chicken one day and having it turn up the next. But that short turn around is presumably harder to do with just one RDC rather than 6. If they were any normal restaurant they could go and find chicken from an alternative supplier to keep themselves in business. But because their franchise model prevents them from getting it from anywhere else, they are screwed.
The shelf life of the delivered chicken is important here too. This page tells me that it is normally delivered to the branches refrigerated but not frozen. Which means that it has a shelf life of about 4 days (?). So - right now - KFC central/DHL are going to be coping not just with hundreds of starved franchises - but also mountains of chicken which is about to go off-date.
posted by rongorongo at 11:21 PM on February 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
The shelf life of the delivered chicken is important here too. This page tells me that it is normally delivered to the branches refrigerated but not frozen. Which means that it has a shelf life of about 4 days (?). So - right now - KFC central/DHL are going to be coping not just with hundreds of starved franchises - but also mountains of chicken which is about to go off-date.
posted by rongorongo at 11:21 PM on February 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
I quoted the gist of the articles for my wife, who has a background in planning and logistics, who proceeded to cackle and then go on one of her rants against the misuse of JIT and related concepts. I couldn't really follow, but it seemed to be cathartic for her...
posted by Harald74 at 12:47 AM on February 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Harald74 at 12:47 AM on February 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
I'd love to hear some informed logistics person's opinion about what is going on here. For my part, I can't work out whether the core issue is moving to just one distribution centre (McDonald's uses 4 in the UK, by contrast, for example) - or whether it is an order processing issue - something to do with Quick Service Logistics in this case as they are the software partner. It also sounds like there is a degree of "Management inability/ unwillingness to test or learn clear lessons from testing" too.
(Here Quick Service boasting about their upcoming KFC deal from a few months back)
posted by rongorongo at 4:15 AM on February 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
(Here Quick Service boasting about their upcoming KFC deal from a few months back)
posted by rongorongo at 4:15 AM on February 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
And no biscuits! And I can't explain biscuits to people because they just don't get it! Even when I hold up a cheese scone and go "Like this, but no cheese" and it still doesn't make sense to them!
.
The advert from Japan currently going viral on social media may explain where all our chickens have gone.
So...not sweater puppies? I'm hoping that rabbit thing takes off because that's a good look. I'd vote for the echidnas too but I think they're illegal here.
posted by Ogre Lawless at 6:40 AM on February 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
.
The advert from Japan currently going viral on social media may explain where all our chickens have gone.
So...not sweater puppies? I'm hoping that rabbit thing takes off because that's a good look. I'd vote for the echidnas too but I think they're illegal here.
posted by Ogre Lawless at 6:40 AM on February 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
What a debawkle!
posted by thebrokedown at 9:16 AM on February 21, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by thebrokedown at 9:16 AM on February 21, 2018 [2 favorites]
More importantly, with Quick Service Logistics is what their website says is "their network" - the UK's not coloured in. Even if DHL Logistics (which has e.g. a large supply chain deal with Sainsbury's, so can be assumed to be reliable, what with Sainsbury's last period of logistics issues being from before the partnership) is the delivery partner, you'd assume that they'd have gone for a slightly more gradual launch.
posted by ambrosen at 9:17 AM on February 21, 2018
posted by ambrosen at 9:17 AM on February 21, 2018
Just your friendly reminder that Nando's is South Africa's finest export followed by Rugby players and diamonds.
Don't forget mercenaries.
posted by acb at 12:18 PM on February 21, 2018
Don't forget mercenaries.
posted by acb at 12:18 PM on February 21, 2018
Southend News Network: 400,000 KFC-bound chickens found in Jeremy Corbyn’s London home.
posted by Wordshore at 1:15 PM on February 21, 2018
posted by Wordshore at 1:15 PM on February 21, 2018
This BBC News story seems more plausible than most flying around as to the cause(s) of the non-chicken: KFC chicken crisis 'caused by Rugby depot chaos'.
posted by Wordshore at 10:33 PM on February 21, 2018
posted by Wordshore at 10:33 PM on February 21, 2018
Does sweet tea exist in Great Britain?
Of course it does... brew it strong, lots of milk and sugar, serve in a chipped mug, possibly alongside a Full English.
That's what you meant, right?
posted by 43rdAnd9th at 2:28 AM on February 22, 2018 [2 favorites]
Of course it does... brew it strong, lots of milk and sugar, serve in a chipped mug, possibly alongside a Full English.
That's what you meant, right?
posted by 43rdAnd9th at 2:28 AM on February 22, 2018 [2 favorites]
Everybody knows you have to brew it strong and sweet to balance out the ice cubes. You won’t be able to dissolve enough sugar once it’s cold.
Typically lemon instead of milk, though.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 4:53 AM on February 22, 2018
Typically lemon instead of milk, though.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 4:53 AM on February 22, 2018
That's what you meant, right?
... Suuuuure. If by "chipped mug" you mean "tall glass full of ice", by "sugar" you mean "2 heaping tablespoons of sugar", by "milk" you mean "a further 2 heaping tablespoons of sugar", and by "Full English" you mean "biscuits and sausage gravy". Who says we are two countries separated by a common language?
posted by Rock Steady at 5:11 AM on February 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
... Suuuuure. If by "chipped mug" you mean "tall glass full of ice", by "sugar" you mean "2 heaping tablespoons of sugar", by "milk" you mean "a further 2 heaping tablespoons of sugar", and by "Full English" you mean "biscuits and sausage gravy". Who says we are two countries separated by a common language?
posted by Rock Steady at 5:11 AM on February 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
KFC's full-page apology ad in the papers today is a daring piece of work:
KFC apologises with a full page ad in today's Metro. A masterclass in PR crisis management.
https://twitter.com/AndrewBloch/status/966957339981918208
posted by sektah at 2:07 AM on February 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
KFC apologises with a full page ad in today's Metro. A masterclass in PR crisis management.
https://twitter.com/AndrewBloch/status/966957339981918208
posted by sektah at 2:07 AM on February 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
They missed a golden opportunity to call it a clustercluck.
posted by Talez at 9:17 AM on February 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Talez at 9:17 AM on February 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
People have gone chicken crazy': what the KFC crisis means for the brand
Guardian article notable to me for:-
1) Pointing out that chickens have a lifespan of about 35 days between egg and bucket.
2) They talked to a few people who know about logistics
3)Speculation that that the supply chain fuck up - modulus some deft social media PR from KFC - might lead to a medium term boost in sales for the company: "scarcity creates demand".
posted by rongorongo at 11:50 PM on February 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
Guardian article notable to me for:-
1) Pointing out that chickens have a lifespan of about 35 days between egg and bucket.
2) They talked to a few people who know about logistics
3)Speculation that that the supply chain fuck up - modulus some deft social media PR from KFC - might lead to a medium term boost in sales for the company: "scarcity creates demand".
posted by rongorongo at 11:50 PM on February 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
Ah, I await the inevitable gravy megapost, slavering.
posted by mwhybark at 7:55 PM on February 28, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by mwhybark at 7:55 PM on February 28, 2018 [3 favorites]
And, tail between legs, KFC has gone back to its original supplier. Who I hope insisted on better financial terms than their previous contract with KFC, just to rub it in.
posted by Wordshore at 1:41 PM on March 8, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Wordshore at 1:41 PM on March 8, 2018 [2 favorites]
“With that in mind, the decision has been taken in conjunction with QSL and DHL to revert the distribution contract for up to 350 of our restaurants in the north of the UK back to Bidvest Logistics.
Does this mean they still have partial DHL delivery in other parts of the country? Rolling back a little and then migrating remaining distribution back to DHL more slowly?
posted by rhizome at 5:42 PM on March 8, 2018
Does this mean they still have partial DHL delivery in other parts of the country? Rolling back a little and then migrating remaining distribution back to DHL more slowly?
posted by rhizome at 5:42 PM on March 8, 2018
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posted by Wordshore at 5:33 PM on February 19, 2018 [31 favorites]