KFC opens new outlet amid PETA protest

Chennai, Mar 21 (UNI) KFC, the world's largest chicken restaurant chain, today launched its new outlet -- 26th in the country and second in this metropolis, amid protests by volunteers of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

With the bitter taste of angry PETA demostrations during their earlier launches still lingering, the makers of ''finger lickin' good'' food opened their new outlet here amid tight security.

The new 3,400 sq ft restaurant, located at the upmarket Radhakrishnan road, would treat both vegetarian and non-vegetarian customers to a wide range of sumptuous mouthwatering food, KFC Senior Marketing Manager(Indian Sub-continent) Unnat Varma said at the launch function here.

An international brand with an ''Indian heart,'' KFC had successfully adapted itself to local tastes and preferences, he said and added that a range of vegetarian products like the Chana Crunch Snacker, an aromatic vegetable pulao and steaming makhani curry, veg thali and veggie feast burger would be offered.

Even as Mr Varma claimed that the KFC was rapidly expanding in India and about 2.5 lakh customers were being served every week in the country, young PETA volunteers, protesting outside the restaurant, called for the boycott of KFC.

While one activist was caged in a symbolic representation of the KFC's ''abuse'' of its chickens, others held placards that read 'KFC tortures chicken' and 'Chickens are scalded alive.' They claimed that the KFC had turned a deaf ear to pleas to improve its animal welfare standards from high-profile PETA supporters including Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pamela Anderson, Sir Paul McCartney and Chrissie Hynde.

UNI