Apology over KFC Germany message

KFC has apologised for accidentally sending an automated push alert to its app users in Germany that appeared to urge people to order food to commemorate the 84th anniversary of Kristallnacht – the Night of Broken Glass – when Nazis terrorised Jews throughout Germany and Austria.

The company faced an outcry for the alert that went out on Wednesday at a time when Jewish groups are warning of rising antisemitism.

According to screenshots shared online, the app alert said, “Memorial day for the Reich pogrom night. Treat yourself to more tender cheese on your crispy chicken. Now at Kfcheese!”

KFC Germany said the notification was an “unplanned, insensitive and unacceptable message and for this we sincerely apologise”.

“We use a semiautomated content creation process linked to calendars that include national observances. In this instance, our internal review process was not properly followed, resulting in a nonapproved notification being shared,” the company said.