By: Natasha Archary
Celebrity sangoma and entrepreneur, Mkhulu Romeo is lawyering up to sue KFC for allegedly stealing his kota menu item idea.
Romeo claims he pitched the kota idea to KFC in 2019, accusing the chicken fast food brand of stealing his concept and renaming it, “Kentucky Sphatlo.”
KFC launched the new limited edition menu item in Pretoria last month, but Romeo is calling the brand to order, by serving a letter of demand.
Romeo, who is also a brand manager and creative designer demanded that KFC stop posting pictures of the Kentucky Sphatlo on social media.
Speaking to Sunday World, Romeo said he didn’t receive a call from the KFC brand manager requesting a collaboration.
“What they are doing is not okay at all. They should’ve called and said, ‘you remember the kota presentation you did? Can we collaborate?’
What is so difficult about that?”
Mkhulu Romeo claims he pitched the Kota concept to KFC in 2019
Mkhulu Romeo said his idea came about after noticing that KFC outlets across the world include a menu item that is inspired by a local dish.
“During the presentation, I also designed sneakers and other items which I pitched to the brand manager to be sold at activations and marketing initiatives.
We kept going back and forth with the brand manager.”
Romeo claims he was ignored by the brand manager, which led him to take to his social media to get KFC’s attention. But this soon backfired, after KFC sent him a letter of demand, asking him to take down the post or face a legal battle.
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When Romeo saw KFC’s social media post recently advertising their new menu item, which he claims is exactly his kota concept, he was shocked.
“I was shocked that they threatened to sue me then, but now they are advertising my concept. I feel like this is so unnecessary, we could have just collaborated.”
However, KFC says Romeo’s claims are unfounded, denying they stole his concept.
KFC spokesperson, Portia Mvubu said the Kentucky Sphatlho is inspired by South African heritage, like other limited edition items like the Masala Crunch items or Mrs Balls chutney burger.
“While we love South Africa’s passion for KFC, we can confirm that this product was not a result of a concept presented by Romeo.
For more than 50-years, KFC has been inspired by the South African heritage and culture and has regularly brought innovation like the Streetwise Chow, Masala Crunch and Mrs Balls chutney burger to our menu.
It’s no secret that the Sphatlho is a well-known South African meal and the limited edition Sphatlho is a result of an extensive production development process, aimed to be a KFC take on this South African classic.”
KFC responds to Mkhulu Romeo’s claims that the brand stole his Kota concept
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