KFC unveils another free-chicken offer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — KFC has cooked up another free offer to promote its grilled chicken, only this time, it promises, without the unwanted side of rainchecks.

The freebie is set for Monday, when more than 5,000 KFCs will give every U.S. customer a free piece of grilled chicken.

This will be the third time in six months that the chain famous for fried chicken is offering a giveaway to promote its Kentucky Grilled Chicken, which debuted nationally last spring.

KFC’s latest freebie will be minus Oprah Winfrey’s star power from a May giveaway and, KFC President Roger Eaton promises, without the snafus when a free grilled-chicken coupon on Oprah’s Web site overwhelmed the chain, with some stores running out of the meals.

“Obviously, we had to deal with some tough stuff,” Eaton said.

Still, KFC sees that May promotion, problems and all, as a net success. “We were the talk of the town,” Eaton said.