Popular fast food restaurant, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has reacted after one of its branches at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, was shut down by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), over allegations of violating laws protecting the rights of people with special needs.
Recall that Debola Daniel, the son of former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, called out the restaurant for denying him entry to their lounge because of his disability.
Daniel disclosed that he experienced the worst kind of public humiliation in KFC restaurant.
This led to the closure of the fast-food outlet by the authorities.
The action was confirmed through a statement released on Thursday by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah.
The official statement, titled ‘FAAN shuts down KFC outlet at MMIA,’ highlighted that the closure was in response to the outlet’s breach of the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, specifically referencing Part C, Section 55 of the General Provisions on Discrimination.
Responding to the development, KFC posted on its official X account that it opposes bias and discrimination, stressing that the incident did not reflect its standards.
The organisation disclosed that it had embarked on efforts to address the situation and urgently implemented sensitivity training for all its employees.
The statement read, “KFC is unwavering in our stance against bias or discrimination in any form, with inclusivity and respect as non-negotiable pillars of our values.
“However, this recent incident has underscored the pressing need for immediate action. We have embarked on efforts to address the situation and extend apologies and deeply regret the frustration and distress experienced by our guest.
“In response, we are urgently implementing sensitivity training for all our employees. This incident is not reflective of our standards, and we will act swiftly to rectify it.
“We are actively exploring solutions to equip our team members and establishments better to ensure that every guest feels genuinely welcomed and that we deliver empathetic customer service that proactively addresses the diverse needs of each guest.”