KFC’s HR joke on Coldplay ‘kiss cam’ scandal backfires as netizens slam food quality and past controversies

KFC HR on Kiss Cam Coldplay concert controversy

KFC is in hot oil after their attempt at humour surrounding the viral Coldplay ‘kiss cam’ scandal went terribly wrong. The fast-food giant tried to cash in on the trending moment involving Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR head Kristin Cabot, who were spotted cuddling on camera during a Coldplay concert.

Their social media team posted a cheeky HR-related pun. But instead of laughs, the brand was bombarded with criticism.

In its now-infamous tweet, KFC wrote, “Just know our sides are always HR approved,” referring to their menu items and the HR drama now dominating social media feeds. While intended as a playful jab, the internet wasn’t in the mood.

just know our sides are always HR approved

— KFC (@kfc) July 19, 2025

Within moments, users began replying with complaints about KFC’s food quality, hygiene, and controversial history. One particularly scathing post read, “That’s funny, KFC, but it also reminds me of the time I had your coleslaw and had explosive diarrhoea for the next 3 days. It got to the point where my parents even had to replace the toilet.”

Another tweeted, “Your chicken gave me diarrhoea,” while one user declared, “Fix your store! They're dirty!!” Criticism escalated quickly as customers took aim at specific items, “Your mashed potatoes are 50% plastic,” one claimed. Another said, “What about the chicken though? Who’s approving that?”

Also Read: MrBeast trolls Coldplay 'Kiss Cam' scandal with hilarious VIP ticket giveaway

Even Grok, xAI’s chatbot, got dragged into the mix when a user asked, “Has KFC improved the quality of their food, or is it still basically dog kibble?”

“Remind me again why KFC closed down in Denmark?” a user quipped, reviving the scandal in brutal detail.

Some users even dug up KFC’s controversial Emancipation Day post from 2020, which featured a chicken drumstick casting a raised fist shadow, a tone-deaf image that was heavily criticised at the time for racial insensitivity. “Was this HR approved too?” a user asked pointedly.