The KFC Thohoyandou 2 outlet, near the Mvusuludzo taxi rank, has been voted among the top three friendliest of the 960 KFC restaurants across South Africa.
The other two restaurants that were selected in the running for the grand prize are the KFC Kwa Thema in Springs and the KFC in Polokwane. The winning team stand to win R500 000 that will be shared among the team members.
Each month over the past few months, one top KFC restaurant from around the country was selected and awarded R20 000 as a build-up to the grand prize. Customers were also rewarded with free KFC for a year worth R10 000, just for voting for KFC's friendliest restaurant.
The winning restaurant will be announced at KFC's annual RGM Internal & Franchisee conference on 15 March this year.
"Putting our customers first is the key," said the excited manager of KFC Thohoyandou 2, Mr Michael Tshikhovhokhovho. "It begins with the leader being friendly to the staff and making sure that the staff are always happy. We are one of the busiest KFC's around, so we make sure we are very friendly to the customers, so that they always come back," said Tshikhovhokhovho.
He has more than 31 employees at his restaurant. "We have a programme called the 'Feel Good Factor'. I use this programme to get to know my staff members personally. I also encourage them to spread love to our customers. Our motto here is: 'a happy team member equals a happy customer'."
KFC's area manager for Thohoyandou, Malamulele and Tshilamba, Mr Love Raluswinga, said he was very proud that one of their restaurants was representing them so well.