KFC gets serious about coffee with full UK rollout

KFC has rolled out an advertising campaign to mark the nationwide launch of its Lavazza coffee offering, as it seeks to take on McDonald's and other rivals.

KFC: to offer Lavazza coffee at its outlets nationwide

The campaign is running across outdoor and press, complemented by a loyalty offer which entitles customers to one free cup of Lavazza, a freshly ground coffee, for every three cups bought.

Press ads (below right, click to enlarge) are running across national newspaper titles, including The Sun, today.

The coffee is priced at £1.29 a cup.

The roll-out follows a trial that began in 2009, as KFC moved to change perceptions that it offered chicken-only products.

Coffee has become an increasingly important battleground for fast-food companies out to gain market share.

McDonald's has benefited from selling freshly ground coffee and, in 2010, became the biggest-seller of coffee in the UK, ahead of Costa and Starbucks.

Now KFC is hoping for a similar leap in sales.

Jennelle Tilling, vice-president, marketing, KFC UK, said: "We are very excited to be launching freshly ground, premium coffee across our stores in the UK and are confident it will be a great addition to the menu.

"We're serious about quality and strive to continuously offer the best-tasting products to our customers by using only the finest ingredients and transparently supply chains. Our coffee, as with any other KFC product, will adhere to this ethos."

ALOK KUYMAR

PDGM II SEM