Giga Pets (TM) Kick Off The Holiday Shopping Season At KFC(R)

Press Release
08:26 a.m. Nov 19, 1997 Eastern

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Traditionally, the day after Thanksgiving has marked the beginning of the holiday shopping season. This year, the season starts a week early at KFC, with the arrival of Giga Pets -- on Friday, November 21 -- one full week before the holiday rush.

These electronic pets have swept the nation as one of the hottest toy trends this year. Many retailers have found it difficult to keep shelves stocked and that's left many shoppers disappointed without Giga Pets in their hands. But this holiday season, KFC creates a window of opportunity for shoppers wanting to have their pets on Christmas morning.

Starting November 21, Giga Pets will be available at participating KFC restaurants three full days before national advertising begins on November 24. That's three days for early shoppers to get their pets before the rest of the nation knows they are available and while supplies last.

KFC customers will have four Giga Pets to choose from -- Micro Pup(TM), Digi Pooch(TM), Bitty Kitty(TM) and Cyber Kitty(TM) -- at the special price of $7.99 plus tax, with a meal purchase.

In August, KFC offered Giga Pets at 15 KFC restaurants in Jacksonville, Fla. The first delivery of these coveted electronic pets came by armored car to the kids at a local charity. In the Jacksonville test market, sought-after Giga Pets sold out in just a few days.

Giga Pets, housed in tiny hand-held computers, require loving care from their owners. Owners keep the pets happy by providing food, exercise, love and attention by pressing buttons on the pet's casing. A running score tells owners how their pet is doing at all times. These virtual pets hit the USA earlier this year and retailers across the nation have been swarmed by customers who want to get in on the craze.

"They're fun to play with. You can take them anywhere," said 12 year old Kareem Chambers when he received his Giga Pet from KFC. Ten year old Dashawn Belsches says her Giga Pet has taught her to be "responsible and careful."

Giga Pets are trademarked and manufactured by Tiger Electronics Inc., the leading manufacturer of electronic games and toys in the world. With games like "Brain Warp," "game.com," "Wheel of Fortune" and more, Tiger offers great products for everyone in the family.

Kentucky Fried Chicken Corp. (KFC), based in Louisville, Ky., is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain specializing in both fried and roasted chicken pieces and homestyle sides. Since its founding by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1952, KFC has been "America's Leading Kitchen For Convenient Meals," serving customers delicious, already-prepared complete family meals at affordable prices. There are more than 9,900 KFC outlets in 76 countries around the world serving nearly seven million customers each day. SOURCE KFC Corporation

Copyright 1997, PR Newswire

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