KFC honors mom during COVID–19 - virtually

KFC is launching a virtual Mother's Day experience on Messenger from Facebook.

Beginning May 1, customers can visit the KFC Facebook page to send a custom invitation to share a virtual Mother’s Day meal. Aimed at families who may not be able to celebrate together this year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the service enables customers to coordinate a meal time, personalize their invitation with their mother’s name and a family photo, and receive reminders to connect via Messenger video chat on Mother's Day. 

The virtual meals can make up to eight users visible at a time and offer a wide range of sticker selections and effects. No purchase is necessary to participate.

"Lately the days are all running together, so it is challenging to figure out how to make Mother's Day a bit more special," said Andrea Zahumensky, chief marketing officer, KFC U.S. "For almost 70 years, KFC has been a Mother's Day staple for families across the U.S., so we wanted to find a way to help connect loved ones over a shared meal and celebrate mom even in these unique circumstances. Through this virtual experience and free delivery, the Colonel has everything covered this Mother's Day, except maybe the dishes."

Other fast-casual restaurants are also providing branded, virtual shared meal experiences. DoorDash is releasing a variety of free, custom-made virtual backgrounds to simulate restaurant environments such as McDonald's, The Cheesecake Factory, Chili's Grill & Bar, Panera Bread, Buffalo Wild Wings, Outback Steakhouse, Cracker Barrel, Baskin-Robbins, and Auntie Anne’s. Customers can download the backgrounds from the DoorDash website and then follow their specific video conference platform’s instructions to add them to their video chat. Some restaurant partners are sharing their in-room playlists.

There are over 23,000 KFC restaurants in over 140 countries and territories around the world.