At work, Joey Wat is called the Chief Government Officer of Yum China. At house, she’s often called the “chicken killer” by her son.
In actuality, it’s a monicker that has to do with the success of KFC China—one of many firm’s many quick meals manufacturers together with Taco Bell and Pizza Hut. Talking on the 2024 Fortune International Discussion board, Wat stated KFC China kills “1 billion chickens per year.”
To place that determine into context, the nation is house to 1.4 billion folks, and in accordance with Wat, they eat 8 billion chickens per yr—that means KFC China accounts for a considerable a part of the lean protein consumed.
The key behind its reputation isn’t only a slick advertising group and even AI.
As a substitute, Wat revealed that she personally sits in KFC eating places for “two, three hours” watching prospects eat—and it’s impressed a number of the firm’s greatest hits.
“So apparently, when kids eat the fried chicken, they eat it with the mashed potato,” she stated, including that Gen Zers have been actually dipping their drumsticks into the aspect dish after which once more into the gravy pot.
“What we can do with that insight is get rid of the bone,” she stated, including that they went on to launch a boneless “mash potato burger”.
“Oh my God, it was selling so well because this is (the) kids way.”
Placing smelly fruit on pizza
It’s not the primary time watching prospects consuming habits turned out to be fruitful: “The best-selling pizza for Pizza Hut in China right now is not Supreme (loaded with pepperoni, pork, beef, mushrooms, peppers and onions). It’s durian pizza with cheese.”
The Southeast Asian fruit is so pungent that it’s banned in lots of areas on public transportation, inns and airports.
“It has such [a] strong smell,” Wat stated. “[If] you come to the store [and] you don’t like the durian pizza, our solution is, please go out.”
“Thank God we did not need approval from Yum! the brand owner,” she added. Changing into an unbiased firm in 2016, meant that Wat’s group didn’t must persuade “people in New York or Texas or Kentucky” that the grassroots thought would take off. “You can imagine it [would] be absolutely impossible.”
The true-time perception once more, proved to be beneficial. One in each 4 pizzas bought at Pizza Hut proper now’s the durian-kind. Final yr alone, it bought 30 million pies.
“Just watch with heart,” Wat concluded. “Some things you can observe directly from the customer and sometimes talking to the store manager helps.”
This dialogue was offered by Insigniam. Dialogue leaders included:
- Patrick Geraghty, President and CEO, GuideWell
- Javier Rodriguez, Chief Government Officer, DaVita
- Nathan Rosenberg, Founder, Insigniam; Companion, Elixrr
- Joey Wat, Chief Government Officer, Yum China
- Moderator: Matt Heimer, Government Editor, Options, Fortune and Co-Chair, Fortune International Discussion board
