KFC entered the Indian market in 1995 but faced controversies over MSG levels and protests, forcing it to close all but one store. It quietly reentered in 2003 and has since expanded its menu and business successfully. McDonald's launched in India around the same time as KFC and was the first to not serve beef. It adapted quickly by removing beef and developing its strategy and menu for Indian audiences. While KFC and McDonald's entered India around the same time, McDonald's now has around 170 stores compared to KFC's 72, as KFC struggled with expansion due to early controversies. However, KFC's recent focus on vegetarian options and marketing may allow it to surpass McDonald's in India, as McDonald's

1. Will KFC be more successful In India than McDonald<br />KFC Launch in India:<br />KFC entered India in 1995. KFC is the largest brand of Yum Restaurants, a company that owns other leading brands like Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, A&W and Long John Silver. But a controversy surrounding the levels of MSG in its preparations and subsequent protests from farmers’ groups and animal rights activists spelt trouble for the company. Ultimately, the company had to shut all but one outlet in the country. Only recently in 2003 it made a quiet re-entry into the Indian market. Then came up with the strategies and menu that is desirable by the Indian consumers. And since 2003 it is expanding successfully its business in India. <br />McDonald’s Launch in India: <br />McDonald’s fist store was launched in India, it was also the first McDonald’s restaurant in the world not serving beef on its menu and today is has more than 160 restaurants across India. No Beef was part of McDonald’s marketing plan. They were very quick to adapt to the Indian scenario and developed there marketing strategy and menu to please the Indian audience. And they have been very successful over the years. <br />KFC Vs McDonald’s: <br />McDonald’s have been very successful in India. Though KFC and McDonald’s entered Indian market in gap of one year (KFC was first to enter in India), but today McDonald’s have around 170 outlets and KFC about 72 in 13 cities. <br />The controversy surrounding the KFC have not let them march forward and they have been struggling with there expansion plans. Only recently they have included vegetarian food in there menu which McDonald’s managed to do with there launch in India. The delay in adapting to Indian customs has cost KFC a great deal. <br />But with the change in marketing strategy and there communication revolving around the Veg menu, will KFC manage to march past McDonald’s? <br />It we look the recent developments and communication, I feel yes they can. KFC has the potential and that freshness in them while McDonald’s looks very old and tired. <br />- The recent advertisements and communication from McDonald’s are not funny at all and only manage to convey the sorry state of creative and marketing team.<br />- The services of McDonald’s have degraded to greater extent. The people behind counters look like bunch of losers made to stand forcibly, where as KFC has that freshness and employee are more cheerful and vibrant<br />- The McDonald’s have become very crowded over the years and they have sitting arrangement which are very cramped and you feel suffocated inside the restaurants. And if you are sitting for too long, then the floor keeper gives you a very disgusting look. Whereas at KFC, they have more space and you feel more relaxed and not in hurry to vacate the seat. <br />I don’t know about the expansion plans or the marketing plans of either of these companies, but if I believe what I have seen and experienced in recent times, then KFC has an edge over McDonald’s. Only possible deterrent for KFC could be the pricing of there products. <br />If they manage to decrease the rates for atleast few of there items on menu or introduce new menu with reasonable rates without loosing on the quality, which McDonald’s have done but have also compromised on the quality of there products. <br />Only time will tell, which one there two fastfood major’s manages to win over the Indian hearts. <br />