KFC Draws Criticism For “Pink Bucket”

Kentucky Fried Chicken is fighting breast cancer with fried chicken, one pink bucket at a time! KFC urges to “Help make the largest single donation to end breast cancer forever”. The campaign, which is largely seen to bring big money to the cause, has also drawn significant criticism due to the unhealthful nature of KFC’s food and the fact that purchases of its pink buckets will not directly increase the company’s actual charitable contribution!

So What’s the Deal?

We looked into this further to see what all the fuss was about. The fine print on KFC’s website clearly cites that for every pink bucket purchased, fifty cents goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. However, since Kentucky Fried Chicken is a franchise, this refers to every pink bucket purchased by a Franchisee, not by an actual consumer. What’s the bottom line? No purchase is necessary! When you walk up to the counter to buy your pink bucket, that bucket was previously purchased by the Franchisee, and your ten-piece bucket of KFC fried chicken (which goes for about $20) doesn’t increase the company’s charitable contribution by a single cent.

On top of the questionable marketing approach, studies have long shown that obesity is associated with high risk of developing breast cancer. As Jennifer LaRue Huget from the Washington Post clearly stated in her recent blog post:

So, no, I don’t think that buying fried chicken by the bucket is a good way to fight breast cancer.

Barbara Brenner, executive director of Breast Cancer Action, told ABC News: “They are raising money for women’s health by selling a product that’s bad for your health … it’s hypocrisy.”

Some people might argue that you could make a healthy meal at home and just donate to a breast cancer related nonprofit organization by writing a check – the good old fashion way.