INDIA – Fast food chain KFC India has launched a sign language training program for its entire workforce as a strategy meant to enhance inclusivity.
The training program is meant to enhance customer service for customers with speech and hearing impairments.
According to the chain, the training program is compulsory for all employees, including those working in the chain’s corporate offices.
The training program was designed with the input from sign language experts. The modules start with the basics of the international sign language (ISL) alphabet.
The subsequent modules cover common phrases and greetings, which are essential for engaging in sign language conversations.
Moksh Chopra, KFC India’s General Manager, said, “One of the most important steps towards this is spreading the usage of sign language and since 2021, our annual #SpeakSign campaign focuses on enabling this goal.”
“This year, we are proud to announce that 100% of our teams will be trained in basic Indian Sign Language, making our restaurants across the country more inclusive.”
In an official statement, KFC India reiterated the training program was part of KFC India’s Kshamata program, which is intended to leverage people’s potential while at the same time bridging the gender and ability gap.
KFC India’s franchise partners, Devyani International Limited and Sapphire Foods India Limited, have played an integral part in implementing Kshamata initiatives.
Pradeep Das, CEO of KFC India at Devyani International Limited (DIL), said, “The rollout of Sign Language training is a forward-thinking approach which will help ensure that we’re fostering an environment across all our restaurants and offices where speech and hearing-impaired individuals, whether teams or consumers, can interact confidently.”
The fast food giant also reiterated it intends to further enhance inclusivity by doubling the number of speech and hearing impaired (SHI) employees by the end of 2026.
In 2024, KFC India launched the first interactive sign language kiosk, which enabled customers to order meals using ISL.
In September, KFC India launched a special sign bucket to raise awareness about speech and hearing impairments in India. The bucket was launched on the International Day of Sign Languages.
Kshamata also led to the introduction of a special sign language menu at two restaurant outlets in the south Indian city of Hyderabad in the same month.
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