Mia Patel
KFC has featured Colonel Sanders in many of its commercials over the years, including one for its chicken and waffles combo. In the commercial, Colonel Sanders, played by Craig Fleming, dances with a life-size Mrs. Butterworth to the song Time of My Life from the film *Dirty Dancing*. KFC has used various celebrities to play Colonel Sanders in its commercials, including Norm Macdonald, Rob Lowe, Reba McEntire, and Darrell Hammond.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Colonel | Colonel Sanders |
| Actor | Craig Fleming |
| Other actors who have played Colonel Sanders in the past | Darrell Hammond, Norm Macdonald, Rob Lowe, Reba McEntire, Dolph Ziggler, Rob Riggle, Vincent Kartheiser, Billy Zane, Jim Gaffigan, George Hamilton, Christopher Boyer, Ray Liotta, Reba McEntire |
| Year | 2018 |
| Dance | Dirty Dancing |
| Song | Time of My Life |
| Dance Partner | Mrs. Butterworth |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- KFC's Colonel Sanders and Mrs. Butterworth recreate the iconic 'Dirty Dancing' lift scene
- Actor Craig Fleming plays Colonel Sanders in the commercial
- KFC's Colonel Sanders is the brand's spokesmascot
- KFC's 'Dirty Dancing' commercial is a spoof of the famous dance scene from the film
- KFC's 'Dirty Dancing' commercial promotes its Kentucky Fried Chicken & Waffles
KFC's Colonel Sanders and Mrs. Butterworth recreate the iconic 'Dirty Dancing' lift scene
KFC has released a series of commercials to promote its limited-edition menu item, Kentucky Fried Chicken & Waffles. The commercials recreate the iconic '"Dirty Dancing" lift scene with Colonel Sanders and Mrs. Butterworth. The campaign, created by Wieden & Kennedy Portland, stars actor Craig Fleming as the Colonel, and includes a voiceover that declares the limited-time pairing "the most delicious union of all time". The dance moves may not be on par with the original, as a bottle of syrup doesn't have legs! However, the ad is still a hilarious and unique way to promote the fast-food chain's new menu item.
In the famous dance scene from the end of "Dirty Dancing," Patrick Swayze's character, Johnny, lifts Baby, played by Jennifer Grey, over his head. In the KFC commercial, Colonel Sanders takes on the role of Johnny, while Mrs. Butterworth of Mrs. Butterworth's syrup plays Baby. The ad features a life-size, sentient version of Mrs. Butterworth, which is surprisingly not terrifying, dancing with Colonel Sanders to the tune of "Time Of My Life" from Dirty Dancing. The commercial ends with Sanders lifting Butterworth over his head in a perfect recreation of the iconic Patrick Swayze lift.
KFC has been working to stage a "Kentucky Fried comeback" with Colonel Sanders as rivals like Chick-fil-A and Popeyes have been eating into its market share. The company has added new items to its menu, such as original recipe chicken tenders and a chicken-and-waffles combo, and has brought back Colonel Sanders in its advertising to highlight its origin story and lure back diners who have gravitated to other brands.
The KFC Colonel Sanders and Mrs. Butterworth commercial is not the first time that the brand has used a celebrity to play the character. In the past, KFC relied on a long-running gimmick of hiring big-name celebrities to play Colonel Sanders, including Saturday Night Live alums Darrell Hammond and Norm Macdonald, actor Rob Lowe, and country singer Reba McEntire. The return of Colonel Sanders to KFC's advertising is meant to signal a return to form for the brand, which has seen sales declines in the US for five consecutive quarters.
Watery Chicken Poop: What Does It Mean?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Actor Craig Fleming plays Colonel Sanders in the commercial
KFC has featured Colonel Sanders in its commercials since the company's founder, Harland Sanders, first appeared in television commercials over half a century ago. Since then, KFC has featured a rotating cast of celebrities in the role, including Saturday Night Live alums Darrell Hammond and Norm Macdonald, actor Rob Lowe, and country singer Reba McEntire.
In 2018, KFC released a commercial promoting its Chicken & Waffles menu item. The commercial, titled "Dance Is The Hidden Language Of The Stomach," featured a spoof of the famous final dance scene from the film *Dirty Dancing*. In the KFC commercial, Colonel Sanders, played by actor Craig Fleming, dances with a life-size bottle of Mrs. Butterworth's syrup, culminating in Sanders lifting Butterworth over his head in imitation of the iconic lift from the film.
The commercial marked a departure from KFC's recent campaigns, as Fleming is not a celebrity. In the commercial, Fleming's Sanders declares the limited-time pairing of chicken and waffles "the most delicious union of all time." The ad also featured a voiceover by Fleming.
KFC's decision to cast Fleming as Colonel Sanders was part of a broader strategy to focus more on the food and less on celebrity gimmicks.
Air Fryer Chicken: The Secret to Perfect Breading
You may want to see also
Explore related products
KFC's Colonel Sanders is the brand's spokesmascot
Harland Sanders, also known as Colonel Sanders, is the founder of KFC and its brand spokesmascot. The Colonel was born on September 9, 1890, on a farm near Henryville, Indiana, and learned to cook at an early age. After serving in the U.S. Army and trying his hand at various careers, he began running service stations in Kentucky, where he started serving his famous fried chicken to interstate travelers. He eventually perfected his secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices and sold his first restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky. As a network of franchises grew across the USA, Colonel Sanders became a celebrity, and his face became synonymous with the KFC brand.
Even after selling the company, Colonel Sanders remained heavily involved with KFC. He travelled 200,000 miles a year on the company's behalf, filming many TV commercials and appearances. He also retained much influence over executives and franchisees, who respected his culinary expertise. Despite selling the company, he continued to take an active interest in maintaining the quality of KFC's food. On occasions where the food failed to meet his standards, he would denounce it as "God-damned slop". As late as 1979, Sanders made surprise visits to KFC restaurants, and if the food disappointed him, he would push it onto the floor.
Colonel Sanders has been a prominent feature of KFC's advertising and branding for many years. He has been voiced by impressionists in radio ads, and from 1998 to 2001, an animated version of him voiced by Randy Quaid appeared in television commercials. In more recent years, KFC has hired a rotating cast of celebrities to portray Colonel Sanders in its advertising campaigns, including Saturday Night Live alums Darrell Hammond and Norm Macdonald, actor Rob Lowe, and country singer Reba McEntire. In 2019, a free video game was commissioned by KFC called "I Love You, Colonel Sanders!", a dating sim where the player tries to develop a romantic relationship with a fictionalized version of the Colonel.
In 2025, KFC launched a new marketing campaign featuring Colonel Sanders with a more serious demeanor, signalling the brand's intention to win back consumers from rival chicken brands. The campaign, titled "The Colonel Lived So We Could Chicken", was inspired by QSR research that showed consumers viewed Sanders as a cultural icon and resonated with his founder story. KFC's U.S. president, Catherine Tan-Gillespie, acknowledged that the brand needed to make a comeback, stating, "We're well aware of the latest fried chicken rankings, and I'm fired up to launch a bold Kentucky Fried Comeback and remind America exactly who we are."
Plan Ahead: Chicken Minis Require Advance Orders
You may want to see also
Explore related products
KFC's 'Dirty Dancing' commercial is a spoof of the famous dance scene from the film
KFC's Dirty Dancing commercial is a spoof of the famous dance scene from the 1980s film of the same name. The ad features Colonel Sanders, played by actor Craig Fleming, and Mrs. Butterworth, the mascot of Mrs. Butterworth's syrup, now owned by Conagra Brands. Together, they recreate the iconic lift scene from the film, with Colonel Sanders lifting Mrs. Butterworth to the tune of "Time Of My Life". The commercial promotes KFC's limited-edition menu item, Kentucky Fried Chicken & Waffles, specifically the pairing of chicken and waffles.
The decision to use a non-celebrity actor to portray Colonel Sanders was a departure from KFC's recent campaigns. In the commercial, Sanders and Mrs. Butterworth engage in a dance routine that includes the famous lift, with the voiceover declaring the pairing of chicken and waffles as the "most delicious union of all time".
The ad was created by Wieden & Kennedy Portland and debuted in 2018. KFC chose Belgian Liege-style waffles for the promotion, made with yeast-raised dough and pearl sugar imported from Belgium, resulting in sweeter and doughier waffles compared to American-style waffles. The limited-time menu item was available from November 12 through December 31, with meals starting at $5.49.
The Dirty Dancing commercial is part of KFC's strategy to capture consumers' interest in nostalgia for the '80s and '90s, targeting millennial and Gen Z audiences who have shown a fondness for that era. The ad received praise for its creativity and humour, with some considering it one of the best KFC ads ever.
Popeyes Chicken Sandwich: Worth the Hype?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
KFC's 'Dirty Dancing' commercial promotes its Kentucky Fried Chicken & Waffles
KFC has released a new commercial to promote its Kentucky Fried Chicken & Waffles. The commercial, titled "Dirty Dancing", features Colonel Sanders and Mrs. Butterworth recreating the iconic dance scene from the film "Dirty Dancing". The roles of Johnny and Baby are portrayed by Colonel Sanders and Mrs. Butterworth, with the Colonel being played by actor Craig Fleming. The commercial spoofs the famous dance scene from the end of the movie, with the Colonel lifting Mrs. Butterworth over his head in a playful homage to the original.
The choice to use Colonel Sanders and Mrs. Butterworth in the ad is an interesting one, as it marks a departure from KFC's recent advertising campaigns. Traditionally, KFC has relied on well-known celebrities to play the role of the Colonel, with notable figures such as Darrell Hammond, Norm Macdonald, Rob Lowe, and Reba McEntire assuming the character in the past. However, in the "Dirty Dancing" commercial, the brand has opted for a non-celebrity spokesperson, signalling a shift in their marketing strategy.
The decision to partner with Mrs. Butterworth's syrup also adds a layer of creativity to the ad. The syrup, owned by Conagra Brands, is a well-known breakfast staple, and its inclusion in the commercial highlights the sweet and savoury combination of the chicken and waffles offering. KFC also revealed that they tested 15 different variations of waffles before settling on the Belgian Liege-style, made with yeast-raised dough and imported pearl sugar from Belgium. This attention to detail showcases KFC's commitment to delivering a high-quality product.
The "Dirty Dancing" commercial is part of KFC's broader strategy to stage a "Kentucky Fried comeback". Facing competition from established brands and emerging players, KFC is refocusing its efforts on its origin story and the food it serves. By bringing back Colonel Sanders and emphasising the brand's heritage, KFC aims to reconnect with customers and differentiate itself in a highly competitive market.
The commercial has been well-received, with many praising its creativity and humour. It successfully captures the playful spirit of the "Dirty Dancing" scene while promoting the limited-time pairing of chicken and waffles. With its unique concept, clever casting, and memorable visuals, the "Dirty Dancing" commercial is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers and help boost KFC's ongoing comeback campaign.
Sanitizing Your Sink After Handling Raw Chicken
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The actor Craig Fleming plays Colonel Sanders in the KFC chicken and waffles commercial.
Colonel Sanders is the founder of KFC and the brand ambassador. His iconic look and enduring legacy are why the role is so recognizable today.
KFC has hired many celebrities to play Colonel Sanders, including Darrell Hammond, Norm Macdonald, Rob Lowe, Reba McEntire, Dolph Ziggler, Rob Riggle, Vincent Kartheiser, Billy Zane, Ray Liotta, Christopher Boyer, and George Hamilton.
