Fried Chicken In Ulan Bator: KFC To Open In Mongolia

by Anna Brones on

Would you like home-style biscuits or mashed potatoes to go with your yurt?

No country is out of reach for global food brands these days, and this week it’s Mongolia. In partnership with Ulan Bator-based Tavan Bogd Group, Yum! Brands is opening up four KFC outlets in Mongolia this year.

A country known for its nomads and ger yurts, it’s the most sparsely populated country in the world. But it’s also growing: the Mongolian economy is expected to expand 15.7% this year, the fastest pace in Asia.

That means it’s prime real estate for a large restaurant chain looking to expand. But how do you go about introducing fried chicken into a place that’s usually known for mutton and goat?

“We are conducting a market survey together with a global research company to determine the market potential and identify eating habits of Mongolians, which will outline our development road map,” said Ts. Baatarsaikhan, chief executive officer of Tavan Bogd Group.

Which begs the question: do Mongolians prefer original or extra crispy?

[Photo credit: pshegubj]

Super secret 11 spices KFC recipe is being relocated

by Scott Carmichael on

In what can only described as part PR stunt, and part high value transport, the top secret recipe for KFC’s original recipe is being temporarily relocated.

The yellowed sheet of paper involved lists the 11 spices used in Colonel Sanders recipe, and is the same one still used today to create their signature fried chicken.

The relocation was necessary because Yum Brands, the parent of KFC is upgrading the security at KFC’s headquarters in Louisville in order to ensure that the recipe stays as secret as it is today.

In total, just 2 people within KFC have access to the recipe. When orders are placed for the special blend of spices, the ingredients are delivered by separate vendors so no one vendor ever has access to the exact blend.

In a scene right out of the Italian Job, a briefcase was handcuffed to a former New York city police detective, and was transported to the new undisclosed location in an armored car, accompanied by off-duty police officers and security guards.

Of course, to add a little show to the whole event, the KFC web site has even added a new section called “Original Recipe Secret Safe“. And I have to admit, the whole thing seems to be working, because I suddenly have a craving for some fried chicken…