KFC Introduces New Mobile Payment Platform

KFC, owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. YUM, has decided to speed up its service with the launch of new mobile payment platform, a report on Business Insider says. http://www.businessinsider.in/KFC-is-making-a-major-change-to-fix-one-of-the-biggest-problems-in-the-fast-food-industry/articleshow/52612014.cms With the new system, whose system-wide adoption expected to be completed by the end of the summer, customers can pay with Apple Pay, Android Pay, and Samsung Pay both in stores and at drive-thrus. The report says new system comes as part of KFC's wide update to the chain's mobile payment infrastructure to increase security. Also, the move will improve speed of service, especially as more locations switch to the slightly more time-consuming EMV chip card payment. "Adding the option of mobile pay seems like a small time-saving move, but it goes hand-in-hand with wider technology intended, in part, to help speed up service," the report said. Business Insider says KFC has lagged behind competitor Chick-fil-A, which is known for its impressive customer service. With a new employee-centric tech initiative, the report said KFC is trying to catch up, testing new tech related to the less-than-flashy issues like inventory and scheduling shifts to 20 to 30 locations in the coming months. But, Chick-fil-A too has few tricks up its sleeve. It is now rolling out a new app that will allow customers to avoid waiting in line at the register, as they can pay in advance and then pick it up at a counter designated for digital orders. At the time of writing, shares of Yum Brands were up 0.33 percent to $82.88.