Industry Research Project The Starving Travellers

Question: Describe about the Industry Research Project for The Starving Travellers. Answer: Report title Industry Research project Industry partner KFC Australia Brief history Around 1930, Harland Sanders, in his 40s, began to cook for the starving travellers who used to stop by for gas, near a station in Corbin, Kentucky. Serving them with his signature southern-style fried chicken. As word-of-mouth spread far and wide and his fame began to increase, people began to travel from distant places only to have some plate of his food (Success Story, 2016). The next nine years, Sanders spent in perfecting his secret seasoning which is a blend of 11 herbs and spices and is the base of the cooking technique that is still in use today. In the year 2015, more than 18,000 KFC outlets are spread in and around 115 countries and territories across the globe (Success Story, 2016). KFC Australia KFC started its business in Australia in and around 1968. The first store was open to the public in Guilford, Sydney NSW, employing only 25 people. During the 1970s, 70 more outlets came up. It had a greater impact on the chicken production, which then improved by around 38 percent during that time. By the year 1995, there were about 452 outlets approximately, and the company hired 12,000 more staff (KFC, 2016). From there, now KFC serves about over 2 million happy customers every week. It now has over 600 stores across the continent. For this reason, KFC is stated as one of the biggest food chains in the continent. KFC Australia owns about 160 stores and operates them whereas the rest of the stores are maintained by their communities and franchises. Now they employ around 30,000 people (KFC, 2016). Overarching problem The main problem/s faced by the biggest fast food chain still remains to be hygiene and allergen issues. The Villawood outlet near Sydney has also a record of food poisoning. Case studies and taking a cue from the past few years records, it seems to be that hygiene and allergen issues remain to be the top concern for the global fast food chain. It is quite important to solve this issue as it is ruining the reputation of the brand and creating a negative impact on people (LUTZ, 2015). Overarching research aims The research would aim at studying the various case studies and relevant reasons that are acting against the reputation of the international fast food chain. Research question/s The main research question/s for the said study that will guide it further are: Why is even a reputed eatery chain facing such a situation? What are the main reasons for it? How do they tackle charges against them (SINICKI, 2016)? What are the steps taken by them to ensure the quality and safety standards? How do they handle competition? How do they adapt themselves to the changing business environment around them and does this affect their business (SINICKI, 2016)? Data needs Data requirement for the said study will include interactions with the people in charge, surveys, interviews, and a few case studies (SINICKI, 2016). Literature review: keywords used for literature search Keywords that will/ can be used for literature review are: KFC, KFC Australia, Problems faced by KFC Australia, case studies, SWOT analysis in strengthening its position/brand value, quality and safety measures by KFC etc. Literature review: 2 relevant articles LUTZ, A. (2015). KFC has one huge problem that's killing business. [online] Business Insider Australia. Available at: https://www.businessinsider.com.au/kfc-sales-in-china-are-tanking-2015-7 [Accessed 26 Nov. 2016]. SINICKI, A. (2016). Do KFC Really Use Genetically Altered Chicken?. [online] Health Guidance. Available at: https://www.healthguidance.org/entry/17001/1/Do-KFC-Really-Use-Genetically-Altered-Chicken.html [Accessed 26 Nov. 2016]. References KFC. (2016).ABOUT KFC AUSTRALIA. [online] Available at: https://www.kfc.com.au/kfc-australia.aspx [Accessed 26 Nov. 2016]. LUTZ, A. (2015).KFC has one huge problem that's killing business. [online] Business Insider Australia. Available at: https://www.businessinsider.com.au/kfc-sales-in-china-are-tanking-2015-7 [Accessed 26 Nov. 2016]. SINICKI, A. (2016).Do KFC Really Use Genetically Altered Chicken?. [online] Health Guidance. Available at: https://www.healthguidance.org/entry/17001/1/Do-KFC-Really-Use-Genetically-Altered-Chicken.html [Accessed 26 Nov. 2016]. Success Story. (2016).Kentucky Fried Chicken Success Story. [online] Available at: https://successstory.com/companies/kentucky-fried-chicken [Accessed 26 Nov. 2016].