Claire Thompson
Colonel Sanders is the founder of KFC, formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken. After selling the company, Sanders remained the face of the brand, travelling 200,000 miles a year on the company's behalf and filming many TV commercials. In 2023, KFC introduced a new dish to its menu: Nashville Hot Chicken & Waffles. The dish was promoted through a series of ads featuring Colonel Sanders, played by comedian Norm Macdonald, who had also played the character in previous campaigns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company | KFC |
| Spokesperson | Colonel Sanders |
| Spokesperson's Portrayer | Norm Macdonald |
| Spokesperson's Costume | White Suit |
| Food Item | Nashville Hot Chicken and Waffles |
| Food Item Description | Spicy, smoky, crispy, and hot |
| Advertising Agency | Wieden+Kennedy |
| Creative Agency | Foote, Cone & Belding (FCB) |
| Song in Advertisement | "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Colonel Sanders' influence on KFC
Colonel Sanders, the founder of KFC, has been a prominent figure in the company's history and continues to be a significant part of its branding and advertising. Even after selling the company, Sanders remained its symbol, travelling extensively and appearing in numerous TV commercials. He played a crucial role in shaping KFC's origin story and has had a lasting influence on the brand.
Sanders' early life was marked by a series of setbacks and struggles. He had a string of failed jobs and unsuccessful business ventures, including a short-lived legal career and an insurance sales position. However, his perseverance and determination led him to eventually find success with his famous fried chicken recipe. Sanders first started selling his homemade chicken from a service station in Corbin, Kentucky, targeting truck drivers as his customers. The popularity of his chicken led to the establishment of Sanders Court and Café, which earned him the title of Kentucky Colonel in 1935.
Despite facing challenges such as the destruction of his café in 1939 and the impact of World War II on his motel business, Sanders persevered. He rebuilt his restaurant, expanded it, and began pressure-frying his chicken, a technique that would become central to his future franchise. In 1952, Sanders secured his first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise in Salt Lake City, Utah. By 1963, at the age of 66, he had 600 locations worldwide, and in 1964, he sold the business to investors.
Even after selling the company, Colonel Sanders remained closely associated with KFC. He travelled extensively on the company's behalf, promoting the brand and ensuring the consistency of its food. Sanders was known for his strong opinions and unwavering standards when it came to the quality of KFC's food. He retained influence over executives and franchisees, who respected his culinary expertise. If a restaurant's food did not meet his expectations, he would not hesitate to voice his disapproval, even going as far as denouncing it as "God-damned slop" or pushing it onto the floor.
The character of Colonel Sanders has been a staple in KFC's advertising campaigns. The company has featured various celebrities and public figures portraying Sanders, including comedians, actors, and wrestlers. These advertising campaigns leverage the recognition and influence of the Colonel's character to promote new menu items and reinforce KFC's brand identity.
In conclusion, Colonel Sanders has had an indelible influence on KFC. His perseverance, culinary expertise, and distinctive personality have shaped the brand's identity and contributed to its success. Sanders' legacy continues to be a crucial aspect of KFC's marketing and branding strategies, even decades after his death.
Marinating Chicken: Fridge or No Fridge?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The origin of Nashville Hot Chicken
Nashville Hot Chicken is a type of fried chicken that is a local specialty of Nashville, Tennessee. It is prepared by marinating a portion of breast, thigh, or wing in a water-based blend of seasoning, flouring it, frying it, and finally covering it in a paste or sauce spiced with cayenne pepper. The dish is served on slices of white bread with pickle chips.
Nashville Hot Chicken has become a popular dish beyond Nashville, with many cities in the United States hosting restaurants that serve this dish or variations of it. The popularity of the dish is also attributed to the influence of Nashville's music industry. Nashville Hot Chicken is considered a Southern tradition, and it has become a global sensation, with restaurants in Seoul, South Korea, and Melbourne, Australia, also serving this style of chicken.
In recent years, fast-food chains like KFC have also capitalized on the popularity of Nashville Hot Chicken by introducing their own versions of the dish. KFC's Nashville Hot Chicken received mixed reviews, but it demonstrates the widespread appeal of this spicy dish.
While the specific recipe for Nashville Hot Chicken may vary from restaurant to restaurant, the key ingredient that defines this dish is cayenne pepper. The preparation methods, spice blends, and heat intensity can differ, but the application of a spicy paste and the presentation on white bread with pickles are distinctive features of Nashville Hot Chicken.
The Art of Spatchcocking: Flattening a Chicken for Even Cooking
You may want to see also
Explore related products
KFC's new Nashville Hot Chicken & Waffles
KFC is staging a comeback with Colonel Sanders as the face of its new Nashville Hot Chicken & Waffles. The fast-food chain is leaning into its origin story to lure diners who have gravitated towards competitors like Chick-fil-A and smaller upstarts like Dave's Hot Chicken. KFC is facing declining sales and is hoping to turn things around with its new menu item.
In a new ad campaign, Colonel Sanders, played by comedian Norm Macdonald, introduces the Nashville Hot Chicken & Waffles. The ad features Sanders walking into a room to find Mrs. Buttersworth drizzling syrup onto a rotating plate of the new menu item. The Righteous Brother's "Unchained Melody" plays in the background as Sanders caresses the syrup bottle and helps with the pouring.
The new menu item combines KFC's famous fried chicken with waffles and a spicy Nashville hot twist. Nashville Hot Chicken is the fourth chicken recipe to be introduced by KFC and offers a blend of spicy and smoky flavours. KFC is known for its original recipe chicken, and the addition of waffles and a Nashville hot flavour creates a unique and indulgent offering.
Colonel Sanders, the founder of KFC, is an iconic figure in the company's history. He was known for his culinary expertise and his influence over the company, even after selling the business. Sanders remained critical of KFC's food, famously denouncing changes to the gravy recipe. He was particular about the quality of the food and was known to make surprise visits to KFC restaurants, sometimes denouncing the food as "God-damned slop".
With the new Nashville Hot Chicken & Waffles, KFC is hoping to recapture the magic of its early days and provide a delicious and convenient option for diners. The ad campaign featuring Colonel Sanders brings back the company's beloved symbol and adds a touch of humour to the introduction of the new menu item.
The Chicken Brine: Ice, a Crucial Ingredient?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
KFC's national television ad campaign
KFC has launched a national television ad campaign to promote its new Nashville Hot Chicken & Waffles. The campaign features the brand's iconic founder, Colonel Sanders, played by comedian Norm Macdonald, who takes viewers on a journey to Nashville, where he discovered the spicy chicken dish.
In one ad, Colonel Sanders walks into a room to find Mrs. Buttersworth drizzling syrup onto a plate of KFC's Chicken & Waffles. As The Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody" plays in the background, Colonel Sanders caresses the syrup bottle and helps pour the syrup onto the waffles, creating "the most delicious union of all time."
In another ad, Colonel Sanders introduces himself and announces that he has some "big news." He goes on to introduce KFC's new Nashville Hot Chicken with enthusiasm and humor, describing it as a legendary blend of spicy and smoky flavors that customers can enjoy without having to travel to Nashville.
The campaign also includes a second spot featuring Norm Macdonald as Colonel Sanders, where he shares the story of his trip to Nashville and his "shameless appropriation" of the Nashville Hot Chicken recipe. The ad campaign highlights KFC's focus on its food and the brand's origin story, aiming to lure back diners who have been gravitating towards competitors.
Through these ads, KFC showcases its new Nashville Hot Chicken & Waffles offering, combining the sweet and savory flavors of chicken and waffles with the spicy and smoky taste of Nashville Hot Chicken. The campaign brings back the beloved Colonel Sanders character, played by Norm Macdonald, who adds a touch of humor and entertainment to the promotion of KFC's latest menu item.
Tracking a Chicken's Trek: Daily Distance
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Colonel Sanders' legacy
Colonel Sanders is a key figure in the history of KFC, and his legacy is deeply intertwined with the brand and its evolution. Sanders was a real person, and his journey to becoming the face of KFC began in 1935 when he was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by Kentucky governor Ruby Laffoon. At this time, Sanders owned a restaurant, and his local popularity grew, attracting the attention of food critic Duncan Hines.
By 1940, Sanders had perfected his "Secret Recipe" for frying chicken, but the onset of World War II and the resulting gas rationing forced him to close his motel. A series of jobs followed, and in 1947, he divorced his first wife, Josephine. In 1949, he married Claudia Ledington-Price, with whom he had previously worked, leaving her as manager of the North Corbin restaurant and motel.
Sanders was recommissioned as a Kentucky Colonel in 1950 and embraced his new title, adopting a distinctive appearance with a goatee, a black frock coat (later switching to a white suit), and a black ribbon bow tie. This image became synonymous with the brand, and he never wore anything else in public during the last 20 years of his life.
Despite selling the business, Sanders remained a prominent symbol of KFC, travelling extensively and appearing in numerous TV commercials. He retained significant influence over the company, and his exacting standards were legendary. Even as late as 1979, Sanders made surprise visits to KFC restaurants, and if the food did not meet his expectations, he did not hold back on his criticism.
The impact of Colonel Sanders on KFC's identity is undeniable. The company leaned into its association with the Colonel, utilising his image and persona in advertising campaigns. Even today, KFC is invoking his name and image in its marketing, such as with the introduction of the Nashville Hot Chicken menu item, where the Colonel is featured prominently. The legacy of Colonel Sanders is thus forever linked to KFC, with his name and likeness continuing to be a crucial aspect of the brand's identity and promotional strategies.
Keeping Chickens Warm and Cozy in Single-Digit Weather
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Colonel Sanders is the founder of KFC. He was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel in 1935 by Kentucky governor Ruby Laffoon.
Nashville Hot Chicken is a new KFC dish that consists of a legendary blend of spicy, smoky, and crispy flavors.
KFC's Chicken & Waffles Nashville Hot is a combination of Nashville Hot Chicken with waffles and syrup.
Comedian and former SNL cast member Norm Macdonald plays Colonel Sanders in the Nashville Hot Chicken ads.
