KFC has stepped up following the high-profile dismissal of a veteran Australia Post worker who lost his job after taking an unscheduled detour to satisfy a lunchtime craving, along with broader patterns of misconduct.
In a genius PR move announced overnight on Instagram, KFC revealed it is officially turning future postie visits into mandatory work duties by mailing urgent postcards addressed directly to its own restaurants across the country.
When Australian Post employees deliver the physical mail to select stores, they can hand the postcard over the counter to redeem a free Zinger Box on the house.
“To ensure future visits by postmen are strictly ‘official business,’ KFC is immediately posting a bunch of very urgent postcards addressed to … ourselves,” KFC Australia wrote in a statement..
“Consider it postage paid in chicken.”
KFC Australia said the company recognises that work schedules don’t always align with intense fried chicken cravings.
“While we don’t set the schedules, we do know how chicken-obsessed our fans can be and that the call for 11 herbs and spices can strike at any time of the day,” the spokesperson said in the statement.
“The good news for posties – we need you to deliver this essential mail right inside the restaurant.
“When you do, simply hand the postcard over the counter to a friendly team member, and it is redeemable for a free meal. Consider it postage paid in chicken.”
The Fair Work battle that started it all
The cheeky stunt comes in direct response to a workplace dispute heard before the Fair Work Commission (FWC).
A Newcastle-based Australia Post driver with more than 30 years of service lost his unfair dismissal appeal after taking an unapproved trip in a company vehicle to get lunch at a KFC in Mayfield, NSW, alongside other patterns of inappropriate behaviour at work.
The Fair Work Commission heard the driver took off in his work van outside his rostered break, went off-grid for over an hour, and returned to knock off 30 minutes early, citing an informal workplace habit known as ‘early fly’.
When confronted by supervisors the following day, the postie reportedly told management his whereabouts were “none of their business” and allegedly remarked, “I’m going to have some fun for the next two years … I probably have another two years left before I retire”.
Australia Post presented evidence showing a broader pattern of behaviour, including 19 unexplained absences over a single month, 17 unanswered manager messages trying to check on his location, plus a habit of replying late at night when he knew supervisors were off duty.
Despite arguments from the worker that the decision was harsh given his decades of service and mental health struggles, FWC Deputy President Tony Saunders upheld the termination.
The tribunal ruled the postie engaged in ‘serious and wilful misconduct’ and was ‘playing games’ with management, leaving the employment relationship irreparably broken.
An Australia Post spokesperson told news.com.au that Australia Post “welcomes the Fair Work Commission’s finding on this matter”.
“We play an important role in delivering for the community and have high standards of conduct for all team members,” the spokesperson said.
Social media explodes
While the Fair Work Commission backed Australia Post, KFC is firmly backing the craving people have for their finger-licking chicken.
The fast-food giant’s social media announcement sent Aussie internet users into overdrive, generating over 11,000 likes on Instagram within hours.
Even rival brand KitKat jumped into the comments to show solidarity, writing, “We see you @KFC. We stand shoulder to shoulder with you when protecting breaks for all. Thank you comrade”.
Fans quickly flooded the post with praise for the campaign.
“When is the Postie Box getting a run on the menu?” one user asked.
“As a current postie and fellow KFC lover, this is why I love my job,” another commented.
“Brb signing up to be a postie,” a third joked.
KFC Australia are loving the reaction from this initiative.
“The reaction shows that Australians are ready to Go Full Chicken and know that delicious fried chicken should be enjoyed at all times of the day,” a KFC Australia spokesperson told news.com.au.
“Whether it’s a lunchtime feed or a late-night craving, KFC has it covered.”