Yesterday as I was watching the News on TV, they mentioned that KFC is Japan's Biggest Christmas meal. This tradition started in the 1970s shortly after KFC opened its doors in Japan, and Takeshi Okawara, the first KFC manager in the country, and a graduate of Harvard Business School, came up with the idea of an impulse promotion for a "party bucket," to be sold on Christmas. Contrary to many stories out there, he got the idea after a kindergarten spokesperson came into his branch with the proposition that the school would order KFC for their Christmas Party if Okawara would deliver the food dressed up as Santa. He agreed, and other schools followed. In 1974, KFC Japan launched a massive national Christmas marketing campaign called "Kentucky for Christmas," that proved to be a huge success. So much so, that today, it is a core part of their tradition and has become the most popular meal for Christmas in Japan. But it really is about more than just the chicken. It is about entire families and loved ones getting together and sharing a meal. And this is something that is priceless. This amazing story inspired me to go visit and have dinner at the KFC on Orange Ave, here in Roanoke, Virginia. When I arrived, I was surprised to see that the restaurant had been totally renovated. The architectural design of its building had received a complete, very attractive, modern look, retaining the red and white colors of the original franchise. Inside, I was very impressed not only with its innovative interior design, but also with the quality of the furniture, ceiling main lamp, and wall display honoring the Original Celebrity Chef, Colonel Sanders. At the ordering counter, one could clearly see the well designed lit menu with beautiful professional photographs of most of their menu items. The manager himself greeted me and took my order. I ordered a #8 with 5 pieces of Chicken Tenders, the 2 sides being Cole Slaw and Fries, a Medium Drink, and Biscuit. And for dessert 4 Apple Pie Poppers. The soda chose was the New Mountain Dew Sweet Lightning (Peaches & Cream Soda). Once the dine-in order was ready, I went to pick it up at the counter and was asked what sauces I wanted for my Chicken Tenders. From the selection of 7 sauces, I asked for the Honey BBQ and the KFC. All the items I had ordered were neatly placed on a tray which I took to my table at the impeccable clean dining room. The ambiance there was so comfortable and welcoming, that it highly contributed to the enjoyment of the food. Everything tasted delicious. From their famous Cole Slaw, that can't be imitated, to the crispy and well seasoned fries, to the Chicken Tenders themselves, cooked to perfection. And the Apple Pie Poppers were such a treat. All their employees there were very friendly and kind. One of them, after coming in from delivering an order to a car outside, came by to say hi and talk about how he remembered when he was a kid he used to come here and eat at their buffet. This was one of the first KFC restaurants to have buffets. He lived near by and now that he was older enjoyed being an employee there. After I finished dining, I went to the restroom to wash my hands. The men's restroom was very clean but no soap came out of the soap dispenser. So I went out and asked one of the employees if he could refill it. He went to do so but it ended up being that the dispenser needed new batteries. So he suggested that I use the Ladies Restroom, which he had already tried out, and he place a yellow floor sign in front of the door so no one came in. And that's just what I did. Do I need to say anything else about customer service. The employees here are genuinely caring and helpful. I highly recommend this restaurant. It's one that the Coronel Sanders himself would be proud of. read more