KFC opts for a sporting menu
Fast food giant KFC continues to roll out healthy lifestyle projects after linking up with the organizers of last month’s annual Beijing Marathon.
Up to 500 families and 110 staff from the Yum Chinaowned company completed a two-kilometer race from the Water Cube in the Olympic Park on Sept 17.
“KFC always cares about the physical and mental health of teenagers, and companionship is a vital part of childhood,” said Zhao Li, general manager of KFC Beijing.
“We will keep promoting this event for more families to make sure the next generation will receive enough attention and care they need,” Zhao added.
Chen Ling was one of the parents who took part in the race on Beijing Marathon day.
She said the event brought home to her what was important in life — her family.
“I’m glad I took part in this race,” Chen said. “Running alongside my child was the happiest thing for me.
“It made me think that I need to spend more time with my child,” she added. “I will definitely join the event again next year.”
KFC selected three restaurants as themed marathon outlets to support the race.
The fried chicken brand also put up posters to encourage customers to take part in sport activities, while launching a special food menu for runners. In addition, KFC has established a running team known as K-Run. All 110 members
Chen Ling, one of the parentswho took part in the race on Beijing Marathon day
took part in the Beijing Marathon. The event also marked KFC’s 30-year history in China after launching its first outlet in 1987.
Since then, the company has been keen to promote sport in the country by sponsoring the KFC 3x3 Basketball Championship for the past 13 years.
Last month, the event opened at Tsinghua University High School with former NBA superstar and Chinese Basketball Association head Yao Ming making an appearance.
“The 3x3 basketball is entering a new phase of explosive growth,” Yao, president of the CBA, said. “KFC’s national competition demonstrates the huge potential of the sport in China and will provide a launching pad for the players of the future.”
The program was wheeled out in 2004 and more than two-million teenagers have taken part in the competition.
It has also become one of the largest and most influential youth basketball tournaments in the country.
More than 430,000 students from over 4,600 schools are expected to compete in this year’s event over a five-month season.
Last year, around 11.2 million people watched the competition’s final championship game and closing ceremony online.
As Yum China’s flagship restaurant chain, KFC has promoted China’s National Nutrition Week during the past two years.
Thousands of restaurants here produced illustrated paper tray mats to broaden nutritional awareness.
In 2017, the company attracted more than 30 million customers.
Running alongside my child was the happiest thing for me.”