LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Blending virtual
reality with real reality, KFC is using VR technology to
demonstrate how to make Original Recipe® fried chicken
in an entirely unique, hands-on and modern way. "The Hard Way – a
KFC Virtual Training Escape Room" is designed as an escape room
where Colonel Sanders gives his trainees hints and clues along the
way to ensure they are making fried chicken the Hard Way – the way
that he invented more than 70 years ago.
"In 1940 the Colonel was just one man frying chicken by hand.
Now we have nearly 19,000 trained cooks across the U.S., but
they're still doing it by hand," said George Felix, KFC U.S. director of advertising.
"Our cooking process hasn't changed much in 70 years, but the way
we can train our cooks using modern technology sure has."
After successfully completing the five main steps – inspecting,
rinsing, breading, racking and pressure frying – participants exit
the secret training kitchen with a high-level glimpse of what goes
into cooking Original Recipe chicken, a process that takes 25
minutes from start to service in its real-world KFC kitchens across
the U.S. In the virtual world, the game is able to utilize the
magic of modern technology, such as time lapse, to provide
participants with a ten-minute demonstration of KFC's cooking
process.
KFC will use the VR simulation to supplement its robust,
multi-step employee training program, called Chicken Mastery
Certification, which provides detailed eLearning and hands-on
training for cooks in each of KFC's kitchens. KFC will provide yet
another platform by bringing the VR simulation technology to its
regional general manager training classes, quarterly franchise
meetings, and employee onboarding at its headquarters.
Incorporating playful design and game mechanics that make virtual
reality so popular, such as the escape room concept, mini games,
surprises and a meticulous Colonel who controls the entire
experience, KFC's VR tool is a fun and interactive add-on to the
brand's training program.
Instead of using virtual reality to teach team members how to do
their job faster, KFC is using the technology to teach its cooks
how to make its world-famous chicken better. It's a gamified take
on the Colonel's proprietary, once-patented process for
pressure-frying chicken, using his still-secret Original Recipe
blend of 11 herbs and spices.
"The Hard Way – a KFC Virtual Training Escape
Room" was developed in partnership with
Wieden+Kennedy's creative technology group, W+K Lodge, and designed
for the Oculus platform utilizing the Rift headset and Touch
controllers.
"What excites us is experimenting with new tools and mediums to
tell stories. VR became an obvious choice to create an immersive
experience that teaches trainees how to make KFC's Original Recipe.
The escape room concept builds on the pure training and utility of
the experience into something that's also entertaining and
connected to KFC's iconic founder," said Jonathan Minori, W+K Lodge design director.
Colonel Harland Sanders was the
original entrepreneur, and today KFC lives out the spirit of
innovation in its restaurants with menu development and in its
marketing with engaging campaigns.
About KFC
KFC Corporation, based in Louisville,
Ky., is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain.
KFC specializes in Original Recipe®, Extra Crispy™, Kentucky
Grilled Chicken® and Extra Crispy™ Tenders, Hot Wings™, Go Cups,
KFC Famous Bowls®, Pot Pies, freshly hand prepared chicken
sandwiches, biscuits and homestyle side items. There are over
20,500 KFC outlets in more than 125 countries and territories
around the world. KFC Corporation is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands,
Inc., Louisville, Ky. (NYSE:
YUM). For more information, visit www.kfc.com. Follow KFC on
Facebook (www.facebook.com/kfc), Twitter (www.twitter.com/kfc) and
Instagram (www.instagram.com/KFC).
View original
content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kfc-creates-virtual-world-to-train-its-real-world-cooks-the-hard-way-300509008.html
SOURCE KFC Corporation