BNPL for fried chicken? That’s exactly what KFC M’sia & Boost have teamed up to offer.

KFC Malaysia just dropped something that had us doing a double take and wondering if it was an early April Fools joke, but perhaps the joke is on us.

Earlier today, KFC introduced its very own Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) payment scheme, QSR PayFlex, powered by the digital bank, Boost.

Through the scheme, fried chicken lovers would be able to split their KFC bill into three monthly installments, with a RM5 service fee (Wakalah fee) for totals below RM100, going up to RM10 for those at RM100 or more.

Certified Shariah compliant, a 2.5% profit rate would also be incurred, paid on each installment date.

Like most other BNPL schemes, a late payment would also be subject to a 1% p.a. interest rate, calculated daily on the outstanding balance.

To register for the service, you can do so via PayFlex’s website, and upon entering your credentials, a check will be done to see if you meet the eligibility criteria.

These criteria include:

QSR PayFlex currently only accepts debit cards for repayment, which can be made manually through the website or via automatic deductions.

Maybe KFC was inspired by American food delivery service, DoorDash’s announcement to partner with financial company, Klarna, offering users to pay for their food deliveries in small, regular installments.

When the option launches “soon,” DoorDash users can use Klarna to pay in four, interest-free payments or defer payments and let people pick a “date that aligns with their paycheck schedules,” according to DoorDash’s press release.

As expressed by Business Insider writer, Emily Stewart, “this scenario might involve more risk than reward for consumers, many of whom are already drowning in debt.”

Part of the way BNPL companies make money is through merchant fees, where the platform that actually books the sale pays a fee to the payment partner, like Klarna or Affirm. 

This is similar to credit card swipe fees, but the payouts tend to be even higher. Businesses sign up for merchant fees because giving consumers expanded payment options like BNPL makes them likelier to buy and increases the size of their baskets.

As such, opinions on the ethics of KFC Malaysia making such a move are divided, with some social media users expressing the risk of going into debt from impulsive purchases, while others claim it improves accessibility and convenience for those living paycheck to paycheck.

Featured Image Credit: KFC Malaysia