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kfc case study

CASE STUDY

KFC Mobile App

KFC mobile app for iOS and Android available in Poland, Czechia & Hungary

case study

About KFC

kfc

KFC brand has already grown to 18 000 restaurants worldwide. They are in over 100 countries and are visited by over a dozen million customers every day. It is hard to believe today that in 1930 when Harland Sanders founded the first KFC restaurant, he had only a unique recipe for chicken and a great belief that he would succeed. From the very beginning, he was also guided by one principle, which he was faithful to, and which he strictly observed: ”Engage in what you do to the maximum and do it as well as possible!” Today, even though many years have passed since then, KFC still profess it.

people

BETTER SOFT SERVICES

Project Goal

KFC wanted to reorganize the way they have used their mobile apps. Since the food-portals like “Pizzaportal” and “Pyszne.pl” has grown customers was showing more and more often their willingness to order KFC food online. Till December 2017 customers were able to order their favorite KFC products through the official website and mobile apps on a daily basis within a typical way of ordering food online at your doorstep. However, it hadn’t any influence on long queues in restaurants. Shorting the queues in the restaurants become another significant factor that KFC’s competitors have hardly invested to develop digital solutions lowering the ordering stress and time.


As the KFC offer has become quite broad, not all of the products were put on the menu. However, many clients get used to some of them and weren’t often able to find them in the restaurants or thought they were gone forever. Existing KFC apps got old and even though it was frequently refreshed, it appeared after the time that it needs a serious architectural change to keep up with the competitors.

Client’s side:

  • End Client
  • Product Owner
  • Acceptance

Better soft services side:

  • App production
  • Integration with existing API of the client
kfc

BETTER SOFT SERVICES

General problem

The KFC app project was performed by three companies and this was the first challenge. BSG as the Web, the iOS and the Android app provider has to deal with UI delivered by design agency and API created by other software company. The most important part of the job was to develop a numerous new functionality that hasn’t been yet supported by the API. That’s why we wanted to start a project by establishing an effective communication model with 3E (API provider). All missing architecture and connections of the API were developed simultaneously with the app functionalities. This obligated as to create unique data structures and support 3E team with our back-end engineers’ consultancy.


For example, we couldn’t use ready existing SDK for Pay U implementation. Existing API was enabled to make a proper fit without architectural changes. Finally, we managed to design and program our author’s connection module using proxy servers


The KFC app meant to be released across 3 countries (Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic), so it has to have the common core. However, in accordance with marketing purposes, the client wanted to choose which options and functions will be available in specific countries. Till this day Pay U is accessible in Poland and Czechia, but not in Hungary. Also, the app for Hungary was created from scratch by BSG.

Problems Solved in the Project

Simultaneous and ongoing communication with UI, API providers and with the Client
Unique and universal architectural solution enabling Pay U services implementation
The app release for 3 countries at the same time – the same app core but different functionalities

Solution

The two native mobile apps and a web app connected with API by endpoints and external libraries of Google maps and Apple maps. For each of 3 countries, the app determines what sort of requests and data will be served. The configuration of products menu is handled by the back office that is sending the information to the API and then displayed in the app. Among main solutions we can distinct:


- Integration with SMS gates

- Integration with Pay U and other payment systems enabling card payment at the ordering delivery

- Integration with other AmRest systems enabling displaying ordering status directly in the restaurant we choose to receive it


The skip-the-line mode has been armed with options that let the customer choose the time and the place of ordering delivery. Thanks to that customers can surprise their friends with KFC delivery to their homes.

kfc

What was achieved

The applications can be used in two modes


- Logged in – This means that you have access to all application functionality and you can make a payment.

- Not logged in – This means that you can use the app, but you will not be able to finalize your order and make a payment

Now all the customers can have the KFC at their fingertips. They can:


-Skip the line in restaurant thanks to Mobile Order & Pay

-Order your favorite KFC Products with Home Delivery

-Use special coupons, available only in the App

-Find the nearest restaurant

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