Check out this story about a Kentucky Fried Chicken in
Fallujah. Nevertheless, the conquest of Iraq won't be complete
until there's a McDonalds, Wendy's, Pizza Hut, 7-Eleven and
Starbucks in every Iraqi neighborhood!
By Cpl. Chris T. Mann
Regimental Combat Team 1 Public Affairs Office
FALLUJAH, Iraq - Only a short time ago the city of Fallujah
served as stronghold for insurgents. Daily skirmishes,
improvised explosive device detonations and public unease made
operating a business in the city very difficult.
Today, with improved security throughout the region, the low
price of 4,000 dinar, or $3.50, will purchase a full meal at
the recently established Kentucky Fried Chicken in the Hey Al
Dubat area of the city.
The KFC is the first to open for business in the city. Before
improved conditions in the city, insurgents threatened
business owners, demanding money to support acts of terrorism.
After a quick visit to the Fallujah Business Center during
routine operations July 16, Marines with Regimental Combat
Team 1's Security Platoon and with Information Operations,
talked with employees at the franchise to evaluate its
success.
"We stopped to check up on the KFC to see how things were
going," said 1st Lt. Michael C. Bryant, platoon commander with
Battery M, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, RCT 1. "You
can tell that the area is returning to normal, especially when
you see fast food places in the area doing so well."
The restaurant has several employees, and three that work full
time. Employees there serve an average 25 customers per day.
The Marines often take time to assess economic progress and
gauge community activities during missions in the city.
After several short conversations with employees and patrons,
the Marines ordered food to take back to Camp Fallujah for
lunch.
"I think it is awesome to see a business doing so well in
Fallujah, and not have to worry about safety or corruption,"
said Bryant, a 25-year-old from Colorado Springs, Colo.
Security over the past several years has reached an all-time
high in Fallujah and many of the surrounding areas. The
increase can be accredited to coalition forces conducting
patrols and security missions, as well as Iraqi police and
Iraqi army retaking control of a majority of the Anbar region.
"I remember when I was here last in July 2004 and things were
much different than they are now," said Sgt. Steve J. Arnoux,
a 25-year-old vehicle commander from Browning, Mont. "When we
would go out on convoys in the city, the attitude was a lot
different. It seemed like we were just waiting to get
ambushed. Now we stop at KFC."
Citizens of the area can now work steady jobs, where as prior
conditions kept many from even coming to work on a daily
basis.
"I love the work here, because we have the opportunity to go
to work every day," said a KFC employee. |
