A rerun of Mr. Mom aired this weekend (come to think of it, it’s on every weekend). Great flick. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it.
Anyway, Michael Keaton’s character, Jack Butler, makes an interesting statement when he arrives home after being laid off from a Detroit auto maker and his wife announces that she has Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner. Keaton says, “We can’t afford that.”
Can’t afford KFC! Huh?
That got me thinking back to the things I remember about 1983, the movie’s release date. When reflecting, I do remember a time when the “finger lickin’ good” chicken from KFC was a special treat. A time when a bucket of the Colonel’s best was a big step above a Big Mac and fries or a helping of mom’s Hamburger Helper.
So what happened? When did KFC become a second-class citizen in Fast Food City? Googling the topic reveals a myriad of possibilities, the best being this New York Times article from 1990. However, it seems to come down to diet fads, bad press (animal abuse), deteriorating restaurants, big-time competition (McNuggets anyone?) and, or course, labor issues.
KFC is not alone, certainly, but the situation does highlight the ever-evolving marketplace and the challenge to stay on top. For you to stay on top.
Ironically, Mr. Mom is a story about a man who must remake himself based on external and internal changes, challenges … much like the corporation highlighted in the film. More ironic, the American auto industry hasn’t solved many of the same challenges they faced 20 years ago. I doubt director Ron Howard foresaw such a parallel with KFC at the time, but there you have it.
Looking to shake-up your organization and outlast your competition? Do what KFC should have done years ago and rent Mr. Mom.
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