KFC removes ‘bullying’ ad on Chicken Central in Hawthorn

A popular Hawthorn chicken shop owner was left fuming after KFC whacked a massive ad on his shop. But the fast-food giant has backed down, saying it meant “no harm” to owner Jim Hally.

Jim Hally, the owner of a local family run chicken shop Chicken Central, has had a win after KFC removed a controversial sign. Picture: Nicki Connolly

A family-run chicken operator is elated after multinational KFC has taken down a massive billboard on the side of his popular Hawthorn shop.

Chicken Central owner Jim Hally walked in to his Glenferrie Rd business last week only to find the billboard advertising his competition mounted on the side of his shop.

“KFC only 800m away,” the sign reads.

“Bucket. Why not?”

Mr Hally said the billboard came down around 3pm Monday and was replaced with a soy candle billboard.

“It is very good, the people have spoken,” he said.

Mr Hally was furious with the KFC sign on his shop. Picture: Nicki Connolly

“It is a win for the small people.

“We are overwhelmed and excited.

It is back to business now.”

A KFC spokesman said the billboard was in “no way” intended to harm Chicken Central.

“The billboard is part of a broader, short term campaign being run in the area by one of our local franchisees who is excited to promote the opening of his new restaurant on Glenferrie Road,” the statement read.

“It is in no way intended to harm Chicken Central.

“Since learning of Chicken Central’s concern, our franchisee has asked for the sign to be removed by the end of the week.”

My Hally has operated his local business for close to a decade and was outraged on Friday when the billboard was mounted.

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“This certainly cannot be fair dinkum,” he said

“I was angry, furious. To me it is bullying.

“It is an attack on us. We just want the sign down.

“How would they appreciate it if I put a Chicken Central billboard on their shop?

“There is no need for that, we are small fry.”

Mr Hally said strip shops were “struggling” and local business owners were under enough stress with the rise in popularity of delivery platforms such as UberEATS cutting their profits.

“We are having enough trouble keeping our heads above water,” he said.

“We want people coming in to the strip shops, we are all struggling and working hard to keep it going.”

Prior to the KFC billboard being mounted, a Clive Palmer billboard was in place for four months.

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