KFC started with a great idea. Free chicken during an economic downturn, but after some publicity from the Oprah Show, all they were left with was paltry poultry.

"We expected an enormous response, but we never expected anything like this", said Roger Eaton, the KFC President, in a YouTube video.

Frank DeFrancesco was at Dunkin' Donuts, his usual hangout when he noticed a traffic jam at the KFC on Western.

"It was unbelievable, yesterday we were drinking coffee, and all of a sudden, these cars were going in and out", DeFrancesco.

He estimates seeing a hundred cars an hour pull into the parking. All left with disappointed people in them.

"They had a sign on the door, closed for just today only, because they ran out of chicken. We didn't know that so we walked over there and seen the sign", DeFrancesco.

And today the coupons kept coming. Many missed the sign that said the restaurant was no longer honoring the coupon.

"It's not only frustrating, but I'd have to say I'm very hungry, so I'm not happy at all", said Catherine Wanko, and angry customer.

She says she went to the KFC in Morton to redeem her coupon yesterday to no avail, they only accepted the coupons during certain hours.

"From like 1:30 to like four o'clock, meanwhile the lunches are like anywhere from 11 to 12 o'clock...I'm like okay", said Wanko.

And today, the KFC President announced the chain will no longer honor the original coupons. After Oprah helped promote the freebees millions nationwide rushed to redeem them.

"Bring your coupon to a KFC restaurant or visit KFC.com, and in exchange we'll send you a rain check for another time", said Eaton.

When asked what they believed that meant, two customers said, "it means no chicken, no chicken".

Millions of Americans are leaving KFCs upset the chain didn't have enough chicken to back up their campaign, and the president says, "we're really sorry for the inconvenience and we really thank you for your understanding".

But some residents say they already feel burned. "Let's go to Popeye's because this is a disgrace".