After more than 1,271 days of daily requests on social media, KFC has responded with a billboard in Utrera inviting locals to travel 500 kilometres to Torrevieja for free food.
A resident of Utrera (@garbanzofurioso) had been asking KFC to open a restaurant in his town for over three years. For 1,271 days, he posted a daily message on social media platform X demanding the arrival of the fried chicken brand. His persistence turned into a viral phenomenon that the company decided to leverage with a humorous advertising campaign.
A billboard with a surprise
KFC has installed a large banner on a plot of land in Utrera that, at first glance, seems to announce the upcoming opening of a restaurant in the municipality. However, upon reading the fine print, the message changes: the brand apologises for not being able to open in Utrera and invites locals to visit its new location in Torrevieja (Alicante), over 500 kilometres away.
The billboard has become the centre of conversations in the town. “It’s a joke that touches our hearts,” commented a resident on social media. The action has been praised for its originality, although it has also generated some disbelief among the people of Utrera.
Free chicken for Utrera residents in Torrevieja
The campaign does not stop at mere provocation. Throughout the summer, residents of Utrera who visit the new KFC in Torrevieja, located at Paseo Dique de Levante, 4, will be able to enjoy free fried chicken. They will only need to prove their residency in the Sevillian municipality with their ID.
The offer has been met with equal parts skepticism and humour. “Are you kidding me?” wrote @garbanzofurioso upon discovering the initiative. KFC responded by inviting him to visit the restaurant to verify that the promotion was real. The exchange quickly went viral, garnering thousands of interactions.
A marketing strategy that transcends screens
KFC's action is an example of how brands can turn a digital conversation into a physical experience. The company has managed to capitalise on the momentum of a popular request to generate content and notoriety, even at the expense of a little joke at the expense of Utrera residents.
For the people of Utrera, the promotion entails a journey of over five hours by car, but also an opportunity to experience a unique anecdote. “If anyone is up for it, take me along,” joked another user on X. For now, Utrera still does not have a KFC, but its residents have an extra reason to plan a holiday on the Alicante coast.
The campaign demonstrates that sometimes patience pays off… even if it’s 500 kilometres away.
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