SINGAPORE: A wave of discontent has swept across social media as diners voice their concerns over the shrinking size of KFC's chicken pieces, while prices remain unchanged.

Just last week, Facebook user Kenneth Tan shared his experience on the COMPLAINT SINGAPORE page, posting a telling photo of his breakfast. In his image, the chicken piece measured up poorly against a packet of chili sauce, with the condiment overtaking the chicken in length. This visual sparked outrage and disbelief among patrons who felt misled.

Complaints of Shrinking Portions

Mr. Tan took it a step further by comparing his meal to a promotional picture from KFC that showcased a much larger chicken piece, noticeably longer than the pancakes in the meal. 'Did I get a chicken nugget instead of a real chicken piece?' he wondered, highlighting his surprise at the discrepancy.

Widespread Reactions

As the online conversation unfolded, many commenters chimed in, revealing that they too had noticed the downsizing trend, not just at KFC, but across other fast-food chains like Burger King. Comments poured in, with one user lamenting, 'Even the original chicken seems to be smaller than before, for a price of $4.35 per piece.' Another griped about the reduced sizes of takeaway favorites like mashed potatoes and coleslaw, calling the situation “not worth it.”

Social Media Buzz

Much to everyone's surprise, Twitter and Reddit also buzzed with similar accounts. One Reddit user presented a photo of a chicken drumstick that matched the length of a chili sauce packet as well, prompting a discussion regarding the phenomenon of 'shrinkflation'—where product sizes diminish while costs remain stable. Questions flew about experiences with fast food portions and their value.

Consumer Sentiments

A prevalent sentiment from the discussions highlighted that despite rising prices, the perceived decrease in portion sizes has left a sour taste in many diners' mouths. KFC's S$5 weekday combo deals received some praise, but one user pointed out that the portion size had also decreased by approximately 20% since last checked.

Comparative Analysis

Comparisons to other fast-food establishments revealed that KFCs may be falling behind in terms of portion sizes. 'Visit every other fast food chain, and you will be surprised; their chicken is all bigger than KFC's,' remarked a frustrated customer.

Industry Impact and Future

As the conversation around shrinkflation intensifies, industry experts are raising eyebrows over whether this trend could impact fast-food chains' sales in the long run. The Independent Singapore has reached out to both KFC and Mr. Tan for further commentary on this pressing issue. Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to unfold—could we see a return to bigger chicken pieces at KFC, or is this the new norm?