In August, 2017 Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) debuted a new video-based employee training program in which new cooks learn to make fried chicken — taught in a virtual kitchen by the meticulous Colonel himself. It’s a unique yet effective KFC training program.

KFC’s Training Program

Trapped in a virtual training escape room, KFC employees learn how to make the fast-food chain’s signature fried chicken recipe. They can only unlock and leave the room by repeating the steps for preparing the chicken, in order.

“Our cooking process hasn’t changed much in 70 years, but the way we can train our cooks using modern technology sure has,” says George Felix, KFC U.S. Director of Advertising.

KFC uses a blend of eLearning and hands-on training in its restaurants to train front-line employees. The new virtual reality (VR) simulation training will supplement its existing multi-step employee training program.

KFC has put a new spin on video training techniques that companies have used for decades—for everything from safety training to product knowledge. (Check out this Wendy’s training video from the 1980s.)

Why? For KFC, its VR training simulation not only teaches employees how to cook its original recipe chicken in a memorable way but also shows how the chain uses an intensive 25-minute process to prepare fried chicken—something that sets it apart from most other fast food chains that thaw and microwave their foods. The new training module “instills pride in KFC’s heritage and process,” according to Felix.

KFC has certainly raised the bar for video training.

Lower budget video training can be just as effective, though. And with the help of modern video technologies, corporate trainers are finding easier ways to create professional-quality training videos without the need for third-party production companies or expensive AV equipment.

With just a laptop, you can record video presentations that show the trainer, the trainer’s slides, the trainer’s screen, and more — at the same time. It’s as simple as pressing “Record” and presenting. The result is a professional-looking training video that’s engaging and memorable.

The benefits of using video for employee training and development are well documented, from increased effectiveness of employee training to greatly reduced training costs. If you still need convincing to make the switch to video-based training, are a few of the most cited advantages of video-based training:

4 benefits of using video for employee training

1. Video training is more effective: Compared to written or instructor-led training content, studies have shown that video presentations improve people’s ability to remember concepts and details over time.
2. Video training is scalable and more cost-efficient: Particularly true for larger organizations, video training can help businesses save millions on training costs. From travel expenses to human capital, video training can greatly reduce the cost of training per employee. Companies save even more time and money when they reuse video training content.
3. Video training is more flexible: On-demand video training can be accessed when it’s most convenient and revisited when needed. Scheduling conflicts and high-priority work no longer has to come between employees and necessary training materials.
4. Video training creates more consistency: Video-based training ensures that all employees have a uniform training experience and are taught important product or policy information the same way.