The subject of the debate is  Twitter followers.  Are numbers important? Is more always better? Should you try one of the many automated services that promise to get you thousands of followers in the matter of days or even hours? The answer really lies in your purpose.  Well, first, do you have a purpose?  Just kidding, in a way.  It’s OK to jump on Twitter to figure out what it is.  You will likely fall into one of two camps:  love it and immediately become engaged and even addicted, once you meet the many intriguing and intelligent folks who are using Twitter then visualize where it can take you, your career, your business and/or your personal contacts (now you have your purpose!).  Or, you’ll hate it and see it as a waste of time.  If so, this debate isn’t for you.

I’m approaching Twitter rather methodically and looking for like-minded people who post comments and news stories that help my daily life and career. Thus, I do not refollow everyone who follows me.  I’m not being snobby, just selective. And I will not use an automated follow system.  However; let’s consider a franchise QSR such as El Pollo Loco or Dominos Pizza.  Wouldn’t they want as many followers as possible?  After all, everyone eats, right?

On the surface, that’s my answer but I’d love to hear other opinions and options I may not have thought about.

FIrst, are they for real?  Is this a publicity stunt the two agreed on or is this really happening? It’s hard to imagine either scenario.

El Pollo Loco is a franchise of over 400 locations, mostly in the southern and southwestern part of the United States and their claim to fame is their citrus-marinated grilled chicken.  KFC, as most of us know, is the national chain of over 5,000 fried chicken restaurants, made famous because of the amiable Colonel’s secret recipe.  In recent years, they changed their name from Kentucky Fried Chicken to KFC to get away from using the word ”fried” and the unhealthy association it brings with.

Now, KFC is introducing a grilled version of chicken, called KGC and to make a big splashy introduction, gave away free chicken this past Monday. El Pollo Loco has responded to the competition by launching “Taste the Fire” call-in taste test.  In some recent news and TV commercials, El Pollo Loco is claiming that employees of KFC and/or their parent company, Yum Brands, are calling the hotline pretending to be average Joes, voting for KFC’s version of grilled chicken.  They are also throwing down the gauntlet to get KFC to publicly respond. See the You Tube video from El Pollo loco here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyn7iDJQnyQ See some of the El Pollo Loco commercials here: http://www.elpolloloco.com/whatsnew/commercials.html

Another aspect of this feud is the true definition of grilling.  El Pollo Loco says their chicken is grilled over an open flame, as most consumers would expect when ordering grilled chicken.  KFC says their chicken too is grilled, but on a special grill pan, placed in a proprietary oven.

To date, KFC has not launched any type of reaction, other than to answer questions directed to their corporate offices.  So, who is the winner here?  Is there a winner? Are both companies getting publicity?  Yes. What’s yet to come? Only time will tell but I know one thing, it’s making me hungry and I’d like to try both–if only there was an El Pollo Loco closer to my neighborhood!