KFC Focus on Security and Mobile Payments

Food security and safety is first for all restaurants but information security is second in top of mind awareness for consumers today according to  Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  KFC is looking for a new electricity to drive incremental top line sales and bottom line profits with a new strategic partnership.

KFC has found that new electricity in a partnership with Ingenico Group to Simplify EMV Migration that strengthens it hand held marketing and payment platform with a new level of security and that security is KFC new electricity, according to Johnson; partnerships specifically strategic partnerships are driving retail success today. 

Johnson stated that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as fresh foods grocerant consultants, urban farming (produce, seafood, etc.), autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, cash-less payments, digital hand held marketing.

Retailers the ilk of KFC to survive the next generation of retail must embrace the artificial intelligence revolution while simultaneously embracing fresh food that is portable, fresh, with differentiation that is familiar not different in some form and KFC has been and continues to lead at that. KFC keeps upping its game and other brands must embrace new fresh food and technology partnerships more now than ever

So in short KFC has migrated its payments system in the U.S. to Ingenico Group’s Telium Semi-Integrated solution to simplify its path to EMV card acceptance and to reduce PCI compliance scope while providing their customers with more payment options and enhanced payment security. As part of the solution, customers will be able to pay using all forms of electronic payment, including EMV chip & PIN, EMV chip & sign, magstripe and NFC/contactless. That according to Johnson is very important.

KFC now uses a mix of Ingenico Group’s iSC250 and iPP350 smart terminals at the counter and iPP350 smart terminals for its drive-thru’s, providing customers a fast and secure payment solution no matter where they pay. Using a semi-integrated approach, where sensitive cardholder data is routed around the point of sale (POS), allows KFC to better protect its customers’ payment information.

Chris Caldwell, KFC U.S. chief information officer  stated “Upgrading our payment terminals wasn’t just about migrating to EMV—it was about helping to protect our customers’ payment information and giving them the ability to pay the way they want, whether it’s by using their mobile device or their credit card,” .... “Ingenico Group has helped KFC U.S. transition to EMV and implement a seamless payment experience for our customers with best-in-class terminals that accept a variety of payment options.”

Scott Tubbs, chief revenue officer for Ingenico Group  stated “KFC has always been dedicated to creating innovative customer experiences, and upgrading its payments system is the latest improvement it’s made,”  “Ingenico Group’s semi-integrated payment solution provides KFC’s customers with a multitude of payment options without compromising the security of their information.” Do you have a security pillow?

Is your branded evolving with consumers demand for mobile payment?  What is your new electricity? Invite Foodservice Solutions® to complete a Grocerant Program Assessment, Grocerant ScoreCard, or for product positioning or placement assistance, or call our Grocerant Guru®.  Since 1991 www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche. Contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or 253-759-7869