Training and Development of KFC

Kentucky Fried Chicken has extensive program prepared for the services crews or food service workers in customer service, health and safety, cleaning procedures, and food preparation.  Started with using special combinations of eleven herbs and spices as seasonings, Colonel Sanders (the founder) started the business in Kentucky in the mid 1939 but started its way to franchising business in 1955. After many years of existence, KFC still holds the philosophies and values of hard work and excellent customer service that Colonel instilled in all its stores around the world.   KFC now is one of the brands owned by Yum! Brands, Inc.

How their training program connected with the philosophy and mission of the organization (Nationally and internationally)

KFC has bolstered its “Colonel’s Tradition” way of recruiting and training workers. Albrecht mentioned about some strategies KFC has formulated in order to observe operating efficiencies.  One of those strategies was the revision of KFC’s crew training programs and operating standards, which is centered on customer service and continued high quality products across the franchises (p. 318).

In 1997, with the 5,117 outlets mostly franchised nationally and internationally, KFC knows the importance of controlling the operation especially the service quality and products despite the differences in culture, language, local law, financial markets, and marketing strategies, through the Tricon International division, which is a marketing arm of the company. By means of the consultation process with the Yum! Chief People Officer Strategy, the head office receives feedback from franchise owners about their human resources and training performance.  This gives employees assurance that they receive same training practices and experiences regardless of restaurant ownership.

Consistent with the company’s mission and values, it also trains with a status as “Registered Training Organization” that provides their trainees with nationally accredited qualification once completed the programs. The following are the certificates that could be accumulated: certificate in retail operations, retail supervision, and retail management (“Training and Retaining”).

Steps involved in training their employees (managers and working staff).

KFC has a structured orientation and training program for newly hired personnel assigned in Customer Service and Food Service that could give them Nationally Recognized qualification (kfcjob.com).  The traineeship that usually lasts from one to three years will give the employees good credential and good experience, which could give them opportunity for promotion in the future.  Along with their value “How we work together principle,” KFC has developed a management team that will supervise the career development needs of the employees.  Aside from that, if an employee wants to become a Restaurant General Management level, he has to attend the ‘Developing Champions’ program.

The training programs include manuals, skill checklists, and tracking charts to ensure that trainees learn effectively in enable them to acquire promotion internally.

KFC provides different training programs to help increase the skills and performance of the employees. They have STAR2000, helps increase skills and performance; In the Lead program, this prepares employee to become shift supervisor; this training gives the trainee the chance to become Assistant Unit Manager; the Vision I, and Be the Leader program, this helps make one become General Manager at KFC restaurant.  These programs prepare everyone for professional growth in the company.

The training is given upon the advice of the Human Resource Department of the company so long as the employee accomplishes a degree of satisfaction upon evaluation of his or her performance.

Conceptual model of procedures and steps involved in training

The training program has two phases, one is for employees, and the other one is given for franchise employees.  However the program is applied to both to ensure quality service among the KFC personnel. The model schema of KFC training program according to level is shown below:

What training program KFC use to train their franchisee employees in host country as well as in oversees?

KFC supplies its franchise employee with lots of benefits and support to help it grow in the business such as advertising, coaching, training and sourcing.  As a neophyte, KFC offers trainings called Franchise Management and Leadership courses prior to the operation that usually last to eight weeks for key restaurant personnel through the Yum! University (“Franchise”).  The program consists of basic product training, leading a shift, leading a restaurant, and leading multiple restaurants.

Another training programs are given that can take up to six months during the operation called “Developing Champions, Area Coach Orientation, and restaurant support centre induction” (Franchise). KFC provides worldwide support for the learning and institutionalization of key leadership and management program for both company leaders and franchises.

While training their employees in overseas, is the KFC organization socially responsible organization if yes why?

KFC organization is a socially responsible because it is not only committed in providing career development to its employees, it also responsible in helping maintain healthy diets to its customers.

Employees are assured of good career path with KFC around the world because of incentives, benefits, and promotions it offers.  The trainings are not only intended to ensure quality service of the employees but the also serve to give them promotion opportunities.

KFC also joined the world’s campaign against poverty.  In a report, KFC and Pizza Huts all over the globe launched the first World Hunger Relief Week on October 14, 2007 (“Buy a Meal”).

Aside from that, KFC has other means to help the community.  It provides scholars to high school seniors planning to enroll in state-owned colleges or universities, it conducts its business in ethical manner and principles (the ‘How We Work Together’ principle), and their animal welfare program.

Conclusion

Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation is an example of an entrepreneurial business that started small and grew remarkably.  Its commitment towards efficiency in their service has motivated its founder Colonel to create a unique approach in maintaining quality service and products by means of providing training to the employees for greater efficiency in line with work.  These trainings bring out benefits not only for the company but also for also professional advancement of the employees.

Using diverse training programs, the company is assured that they possess quality personnel and crew with one hundred percent retention.

Reference

• Albrecht, Maryann H. (2001). International HRM: Managing Diversity in the Workplace. UK: Blackwell Publishers Ltd.
• Buy a meal give a meal World Hunger Relief Week. October 14-20, 2007. http://www.kfc.co.uk/charity/charity.aspx
• Franchise and Business Opportunities for Entrepreneurs. http://www.franchisegator.com/KFC-Kentucky-Fried-Chicken-franchise/
• Franchise. http://www.kfc.co.uk/about/franchise.aspx
• KFC (2008). http://www.kfc.com/about/careers.asp
• Training and Retaining Great Employees. Financial Review Case Studies. http://www.afrbiz.com.au/page.asp?3652=430506&E_Page=416317&3648=430499&case=430501
• U+KFC. http://www.kfcjobs.com.au/team/vision-and-values.aspx