KFC Paying Medical Bills for Mississippi Girl Who Was Asked to Leave Because Her Facial Injuries 'Scared' Diners
This story was trending on Facebook today. This little girl is only three-years-old and already lived through a traumatic event, and now the narrow-mindedness of a KFC employee has made it worse. What gets to me the most is that this girl was not ashamed of how her injuries looked until this incident. Now she doesn't want to get out of the car or even look in the mirror. The actions by the employee(s) has damaged her self-esteem, and it seems to be by a substantial amount. Being so young, I hope she bounces back with full force. If this causes her to feel shame then it is a second traumatic event in only three years of life.
I do not, however, blame KFC in entirety. The company's response and the comments made about the particular store's owner, plus my experience with fast food restaurants (I worked for Burger King and currently work for McDonald's), lead me to believe this is the actions of a single or small group of employees, or a manager, and not a reflection on the company as a whole. Through training, most fast food companies cannot make it clear enough that their employees should treat customers with the utmost respect, even if they're in your face about something. I can't imagine any reason why the owners would perpetuate this type of behavior. What is on the company's shoulders, however, is their responsibility for these employee(s)'s actions. Whether this is the first time the employee(s) has actually stepped out of line or the last (and it should be the last), the company must own up for it. And it seems they are doing so, by launching an investigation and also the one store offering a free picnic for the girl and her family. My father was a general contractor who mostly built KFC stores for franchisees. Through him I met a lot of them, and none would condone turning away that little girl.
I do not, however, blame KFC in entirety. The company's response and the comments made about the particular store's owner, plus my experience with fast food restaurants (I worked for Burger King and currently work for McDonald's), lead me to believe this is the actions of a single or small group of employees, or a manager, and not a reflection on the company as a whole. Through training, most fast food companies cannot make it clear enough that their employees should treat customers with the utmost respect, even if they're in your face about something. I can't imagine any reason why the owners would perpetuate this type of behavior. What is on the company's shoulders, however, is their responsibility for these employee(s)'s actions. Whether this is the first time the employee(s) has actually stepped out of line or the last (and it should be the last), the company must own up for it. And it seems they are doing so, by launching an investigation and also the one store offering a free picnic for the girl and her family. My father was a general contractor who mostly built KFC stores for franchisees. Through him I met a lot of them, and none would condone turning away that little girl.
You should take a moment to check out Victoria Wilcher's Facebook community, Victoria's Victories.
- C.A. Swaim
Update (June 24, 2014 2:15AM): So it appears this story is a hoax, a scam to get money for the medical bills allegedly. I feel thoroughly duped, and a little humiliated. I want to applaud KFC for standing by their commitment to the little girl, despite what the investigation reveals.
The little girl is not to blame here, but I believe something worse has happened to her than being humiliated at a fast food restaurant. Her family just used her to make people donate money, even if that money was for her medical bills. This story has the possibility of following her around her whole life. It will effect her reputation, even though as a 3-year-old she cannot be held accountable for any of this. All I can do is shake my head.
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