Kentucky Fried Chicken!

KFC!! One of the most popular fast food restaurants in the city has customer service that is indeed "finger licking good"! But here is the catch...

The KFC joint that I'm writing about is located within the Cinemax multiplex premises at Banajara Hills.

Who is serving you there?

A bunch of young, REALLY REALLY cheerful, smiling boys in red KFC t-shirts. If you're going there for the first time you wouldn't understand why the person taking your order isn't speaking a word and is instead confirming your order by pointing it out on the menu in front of him and smiling at the same time. If you have understood him correctly and he has understood you clearly you get a very happy "thumbs up" sign from him.

All these boys cannot speak nor can hear yet they serve you perfectly without any irritation and arrogance. I've been there multiple times and will keep going there forever though I'm not very fond of chicken. Here is why:

The Welcome: One of these boys roaming around in the restaurant, smiles at you the moment you step into the restaurant. The smile is so genuine that you automatically smile back even if you are in the foulest of moods.

The Wave: You've just stepped in and you're wondering what to order and you're walking towards the counter. You're still walking looking at the menu charts and not at the person at the counter and suddenly you see a hand waving high up in the air beckoning you to come. It is then you realise that you've been noticed and you walk towards that waving hand as a mouse would walk towards cheese.

The Menu: Once at the counter, you're smiled at warmly and a hand gesture tells you that you need decide what to eat. Even as you're thinking or discussing with a friend on what to eat, the hand guides you on the menu chart giving suggestions on what is good and what is economical as well. Your decision is made easier and you know what you will eat in less than a minute.

The Order: Now you need to place the order. You wonder how on earth will you place an order when the happy face across the counter cannot hear you. You look up at the smiling face wondering the same and the smile increases. You're guided back to the chart and then you know you just need to point out on the chart what you want to eat. Your order is placed and confirmed within seconds. Even an order for five people takes less than a minute to place. You always know you order is placed when the bill comes but here you get a double assurance. And what is it? A very happy thumbs up from the smiling face across the counter!

The Bill: You're thinking how will the smiling face across the counter pronounce your bill as they do else where "Ma'am your bill is 245 rupess and here's your change". Its simple! A hand guides you to the bill screen and you know your bill. (I've never cared to look at the screen till I visited this KFC :P)

The Food: You're enjoying your meal and the smiling faces in red t-shirts smile back at you, some asking in actions if the food is good. Of course it's good!

The Wave 2: As you get up to leave you wonder if you need to clear your table yourself. One of the smiling faces lets you know its not needed. Then comes the second Wave. The smiling face that welcomed you as you entered, the smiling face that waved you to the counter, the smiling face that asked you if the food was good and let you know you don't need to clear the table are joined with other smiling faces in red KFC t-shirts in waving you "bye".

Isn't this a very special experience? This is an experience I wish to have everyday. This is the experience I want to have not only while receiving but also while giving.

I can speak, I can listen, I'm educated, I have a brilliant job, I have all the luxuries I can afford in life yet I know I'm not half as happy at these boys at KFC neither do I smile so much. There is so much to learn from these boys. It is worth a visit. But also beware this is not the state of all KFC restaurants in Hyderabad. Every other outlet is quiet the opposite!

Can't believe I've written so much! Boy, I really do love that place, don't I? :)