Fast food titan KFC has been forced to issue a profound and grovelling apology after one of its international branches faced a fierce public backlash for mocking a UK-based social media influencer's speech impediment.
The Offensive Video and Backlash
The controversy erupted when the official Instagram account for KFC Macedonia published a since-deleted promotional video. The clip featured the sound of Jessie Yendle, a content creator with over 3.5 million TikTok followers, speaking during a television appearance. Her voice, which includes a stammer, was layered over a dance beat as KFC products flashed on the screen.
Many viewers, including Yendle herself, were outraged, believing the brand was using her disability for comedic effect. The video was reportedly viewed over four million times before being taken down.
Jessie Yendle's Powerful Response
Speaking to Good Morning Britain, an emotional Yendle expressed her profound disappointment. "I don't think they realise the true damage that they've done," she stated. "It breaks my heart."
She emphasised that her stammer is just one part of her identity, lamenting that such use by brands reduces her to just her disability. "I'm so much more than that," Yendle affirmed.
On her own Instagram, she delivered a powerful message directly to KFC, highlighting her achievements, including her popular BBC radio show, Unstoppable. She wrote, "NOTHING should ever be a TREND if it's disrespecting and discriminating a disability, race, gender, sexuality or religion." Yendle also pointed out that the stammering community consists of 70-80 million people worldwide, many of whom could be KFC's own customers or staff.
KFC's Official Apology and Stance
Under mounting pressure, KFC issued a formal apology. In a statement to the Daily Dot, the corporation declared that "mocking someone for their stammer is simply wrong."
The company confirmed it had reached out to Yendle directly to apologise for the hurt caused. The statement further clarified that the behaviour exhibited in the video was "totally unacceptable and not tolerated at KFC," reinforcing that everyone deserves to feel "welcome, valued, and safe to be themselves" in their establishments.
The incident has sparked a significant conversation about corporate responsibility and the representation of people with disabilities in media and advertising.
