NEWS of KFC suspending operations at 108 outlets nationwide has spread like wildfire, leading many to speculate if the Colonel is on its last legs in Malaysia.
Pro-Palestine boycotters have been quick to claim credit for the many deserted restaurants that have led to this drastic measure by QSR Holdings Bhd (owner of the KFC franchise in Malaysia).
Many are convinced though that this has been a long time coming with social media frequently flooded with consumers highlighting the dip in both the quality of food and service at KFC, not least the shrinking size of the chicken pieces while prices keep creeping upwards.
No matter the reason, some budding entrepreneurs have sought to fill the void by leveraging their followers and by appealing to a particular demographic.
One such example is Abdul Rani Kulup Abdullah – the ‘activist’ best known for his staunch anti-DAP stance and for having made over 1,000 police reports.
The erstwhile president of the Martabat Jalinan Muhibah Malaysia has decided to try his hand at selling fried chicken with the launch of his stall bearing his catchphrase – Kipidap Fried Chicken.
Usah le kome jejak lg mekdi kepci, ni ayah da invest segala duit kwsp, bounty & pencen askor utk buka Kipidap Fried Ciken, kalo KFC 11 resepi rahsia, ini 1001 resepi ayah tarok dalam. Caw pertama dkat Maybank Taman Maluri. Utk janda muda & anak dara ayah bg 85% diskaun! #kipidap pic.twitter.com/Z0oAVbSvoM
— Abdul Rani Kulup (@Rani_Kulup) May 1, 2024
On his X (formerly Twitter), the retired army personnel has been rallying his followers to support home-grown brands while ‘ditching’ American fast-food brands like KFC and McDonald’s in the process.
There were plenty of messages of support from his followers.
While Abdul Rani credentials as a cook and FnB (food & beverage) operator are open to conjecture, there is no doubting that he has his “fans” with close to 20,000 following his X account.
Agree or disagree with his views, Abdul Rani has shown a talent for self-promotion and an ability to create mountains of molehills. Whether these will translate into a successful fried chicken business remains to be seen.
Another example was highlighted by lawyer and social activist Siti Kasim. A short clip on her Facebook page shows the official opening of a DarSa Fried Chicken outlet which clearly shows the demographic it is targeting.
Its opening was officiated by former PAS Kedah Ulamak Council deputy chairman Syeikh Muhd Zainul Asri Mohd Romli who was embroiled in a sedition case late last year when he made references to “enemies of Islam” at a ceramah. He is also the founder of Yayasan DarSa.
Given the video was posted on firebrand and perceived “liberal” Siti Kasim’s social media platform, it drew mixed responses. However, there were enough who posted messages of support for Darsa Fried Chicken.
Though there were more positive responses on the preacher’s TikTok page.
While a few questioned the use of English instead of Malay in the new eatery’s moniker, the response was overwhelmingly positive with many applauding the preacher’s timely initiative.
Absolutely nothing wrong with these enterprises having a go. Why not? Enough people have commented that the boycott campaign against brands perceived to have links to Israel has opened up opportunities for home grown businesses to fill the void.
It is sincerely hoped that both these two enterprises can leverage their supporters to make a decent fist of it.
At the very least, the fried chicken ventures will keep these personalities busy instead of creating the wrong headlines with facetious police reports or “taken out of context” inflammatory remarks.
FocusM wishes Kipidap Fried Chicken and DarSa Fried Chicken the very best of luck. – May 3, 2024
