KFC has issued an apology to a woman its company mocked online in a viral video.
The popular chicken chain has come under fire after a social media clip ended up having a sad consequence to one Welsh woman with a speech impediment.
Jessie Yendle has long been in the public eye for her campaigning for awareness of speech impediments, due to her own stammer.
Having risen to popularity on TikTok for her @mimidarlingbeauty channel, where she talks about her life, her stammer, and the impact it has had on her, Yendle went on to use her platform to help others.
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For example, she wrote Let’s Talk, which is the book she wishes she had when she was younger, as it serves as an empowering message to children and teenagers.
However, when the official Instagram for KFC North Macedonia shared a video, which was reportedly viewed 4 million times before it was deleted, Yendle was left reeling.
The video showed Yendle attempting to say a word through a stammer before it turned into an electronic dance track, with KFC images.
In a statement to FOODbible, a KFC spokesperson explained that the company was ‘truly sorry that this happened, saying: "We have reached out directly to Jessica to apologize for the hurt she has experienced."
It added: “Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and mocking someone for their stammer is simply wrong. We want to make clear that this behavior is totally unacceptable and is not tolerated at KFC. Every person who walks through our doors should feel welcome, valued and safe to be themselves.”
The spokesperson said the company has been in touch with the UK stammer charity STAMMA, ‘and we are looking at how we can work with them to make sure every voice is heard and appreciated at KFC’, stating: “Our franchisee partner at KFC North Macedonia is also looking into how they can include this training locally and also contacted Jessie to apologize to her for the post and the hurt that was caused.”
However, Yendle, who is pregnant with her first child, told Good Morning Britain that the video ‘breaks my heart,’ and ‘I don’t think they’ve realised the true damage that they’ve done’.
Stating that ‘it’s gone too far now’, Yendle has had this happen to her twice.
Yendle had previously received apologies from the German football team Borussia Dortmund, and triathlon organizer Ironman, for creating similar videos.
As per the BBC, when Borussia Dormont offered free tickets as an apology, she refused them, telling the outlet she was ‘really disappointed that this has happened again,’ after the KFC incident, adding: “I’m not my speech impediments, I’m so much more than that.”
“I’ve been raising awareness on the internet for four years and my platform has given me a voice,” she said.
Topics: Fast Food, Social Media, Health
Britt Jones