I ate KFC for the first time in years, and I see why a turnaround effort is needed

• In mid-July, KFC officially launched its "Kentucky Fried Comeback" turnaround campaign. • The legacy fried chicken chain has lost market share to competitors like Popeyes and Raising Cane's. • My first meals there in more than 15 years showed why the beloved brand is struggling.

I recently visited KFC for the first time in 15 years, chasing nostalgia — and left with no desire to return. A week later, another location surprised me with a fried feast that actually hit the spot. Then, at a third stop, the food landed somewhere in between.

The problem, I realized, isn't what's on the menu. It's that KFC can't seem to serve the same meal twice.

In mid-July, the company launched its "Kentucky Fried Comeback" turnaround campaign after years of losing ground to competitors like Popeyes an