KFC suspends use of its 'Finger Lickin' Good' slogan amid coronavirus pandemic

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), the popular fried chicken chain, has suspended the use of "It's Finger Lickin' Good" slogan. The slogan, which has been in use for 64-years, has been suspended as KFC feels it's the most inappropriate slogan for 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

KFC, which was founded in the 1930s by Harland Saunders, opened its first franchise in the 1950s and has used the Finger Lickin' Good slogan since then.

The company in its statement said that the suspension from the global advertising will be in affect for "a little while." It said that amid this unprecedented circumstances, the use of the slogan "doesn't feel quite right."

"We find ourselves in a unique situation – having an iconic slogan that doesn’t quite fit in the current environment," said Catherine Tan-Gillespie, global chief marketing officer at KFC, in a statement. "While we are pausing the use of It’s Finger Lickin’ Good, rest assured the food craved by so many people around the world isn’t changing one bit.”

“The slogan will be back,” the statement said. “Just when the time is right.”

As per the guideline issued by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's, to prevent the spread of coronavirus, one must avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth and washing hands as often as possible.

KFC outlets closed temporarily in March, but most have now reopened. It has 22,500 outlets around the world - 900 in the UK and Ireland. It is owned by Yum! brands, which also owns Pizza Hut.