You can do just about anything via WhatsApp, the popular messaging app these days. But can you order fried chicken? According to KFC South Africa, its clients can now order food directly through WhatsApp.

The newly revealed ‘Chat Commerce’ channel allows users the ability to order food from the fast-food restaurant via chat. Before, you’d need a third-party delivery app like Uber Eats or Mr D to place an order on mobile. Now you don’t even have to leave the app you likely use most of the time anyway.

“KFC’s platform is 100% automated and leverages natural language processing. The launch is… the first of its kind for the QSR [quick service restaurant] sector locally,” a press release details.

WhatsApp me my fried chicken

If you’ve ever had the need to order a Colonel burger while discussing your favourite side (obvs chippies) with your friends — here’s your chance. According to KFC, the chat ordering system makes use of “guided prompts, emoji-embedded facilitation, and natural language processing to guide customers through the ordering process.”

Go ahead and add the KFC Chat-Order contact by hitting this link or add this number as a contact if that doesn’t work: 063 735 5387. Drop a simple ‘Hi’ in the chat to get the bot going. You can then send the bot your order by replying to the friendly bot, and select the KFC closest to your location.

Right now, you’ll have to collect if you order via WhatsApp, as delivery is not yet available. “While not yet available, consumers will soon also have the option to choose to pay via WhatsApp by inputting their card details but, for now, they pay at their selected store,” it details.