The best KFC ads we've had over the years to promote the brand

Advertising is one of the best ways to establish connections and build strong and long-term relationships with clients. Companies know that brand advertising is essential, and it helps them be successful.

A brand that is popular in the entire world and has made significant marketing decisions is KFC. As it has had rapid growth, we became curious to find out more. Social platforms help today even more customers to check updates from their favorite brands.

KFC Ads are very different, and each time they tried to come up with something new and functional. The company is also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, an American fast-food restaurant chain with its center in Louisville, Kentucky, and it specializes in fried chicken. It is one of the world’s biggest restaurant chain in terms of sales.

As they have more than 20,000 locations globally for sure, KFC ads had to adapt to different cultures. Few people now that the chain is a subsidiary of Yum, a restaurant company that owns Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and many more.

Let’s check what the marketing teams of KFC manage to do in the last years in terms of advertising.

Awesome KFC Ads

KFC: ‘FCK’ (2018)

After a bad business deal happened with a new chicken retailer, the brand had to close almost 900 UK stores temporarily. To respond to public criticism, KFC released a full-page print to apologize for its mistake in the Metro and The Sun newspapers. The KFC ads featured their well-known buckets with the letters ‘FCK’ put in front.

KFC Hot and Spicy

KFC’s Hot and Spicy campaign brought fire to fire in a series of images that included rocket-powered race cars together with space shuttle launches. The chain shows the kick of their chicken with explosive firepower. We can say it’s a pretty fun KFC advertisement and it reached quite a lot of attention.

A Spotify Playlist That Referenced The Brand In Songs

This was one of the KFC ads that we liked the most. Being named Bucket Bangers, they’re collaborated with Spotify and added 46 hip-hop tracks that referenced them.

The idea of using Hip Hop for a brand campaign was something new. KFC has been mentioned 46 times in hip-hop songs in the last 30 years from Kendrick Lamar to Run DMC and Kanye West. So yes, it was an excellent smart move!

The KFC Ad You Can See from Space

KFC went big with one of their chicken adverts. The KFC ads idea that could be seen from space had a significant impact. According to a report on space-visible ads by NPR’s Mito Habe-Evans the brand paid an ultimate tribute for their late leader. They created a tile portrait of Colonel Sanders in the middle of dry dirt in Nevada that could be seen from beyond our atmosphere.

KFC Hot & Crispy #FeelTheHeat

KFC South Africa was getting ready to launch its most significant innovation in the last decades. We are talking about a new Hot and Crispy flavor that was their first alternative to the Original Recipe Chicken.

They did a great job with these KFC Ads around this moment, and people appreciated it.

KFC: Rudy II: He’s Colonel Sanders Now

In this KFC advertisement, we see Rudy II on an adventure to accomplish a new dream. He wants to become Colonel Sanders. The KFC ad recreates several iconic scenes from the original Rudy film like the famous locker room speech and when Rudy is lifted and carried off the field as a hero. They creatively did this, as only KFC can do.

KFCBucketBae – Proposal

Blink Digital was the team behind the KFC bucket Bae, a robot for Valentine’s Day that brings together chicken lovers with the bae of their dreams. It not just follows the consumer but also talks and interact.

It was a great idea, and it shows how KFC Ads can also use technology to bring something new.

KFC TV Shopping

Back in 1957, when KFC launched a chicken basket, people appreciated it a lot. To celebrate the anniversary of this excellent idea, they did a limited amount of steel baskets like in the original design.

This got sold in restaurants together with the standard chicken. People got confused a bit and did not understand why they had to have their basket to go to KFC. The idea was that you got a 30% discount on chicken for the entire year. You can’t complain when you hear KFC ads like this together with their promos.

KFC: KFC Confessions ‘Skip Dinner’

Together with Ogilvy, KFC presented “Chicken Confessions’. This was a series of KFC ads that had six characters that were interrogated. They came clean regarding their guilty pleasure when eating KFC

Keep Rolling

If we talk about football players are going to have a lot of fun when eating. In this KFC commercial, we can see a player taking things to the next level. He doesn’t take just a dive, but he also rolls out the stadium in a town for KFC. We liked it, and we think it can be one of your favorite KFC ads.

Honest Ad

This is an honest conversation that starts with an epic ad that questions the use of historic big ads. Why should we try so hard if we already have a high tasting menu?

KFC & National Museum of China Bring Exhibits to the Metro of Shanghai

KFC had to understand the importance of culture. After all their KFC ads go into so many countries around the world. This time they focused on the Chinese New Year celebrations. This is why this content-driven campaign was done in partnership with the National Museum of China, to make people feel closer to their traditions.

KFC: Studycoin

Imagine that KFC would use cryptocurrencies to change the educational system. It sounds a bit SF, but in this KFC ads idea, we can see they did it. StudyCoin was the coin that students could mine by using their brains. In exchange for the coins, you could get any KFC products nationwide.

FAQ about KFC ads

What’s up with KFC’s Colonel Sanders?

Well, let me tell you, Colonel Sanders is the iconic face of KFC, the famous fast-food chicken chain. He’s often featured in the ads, and he’s portrayed by different actors and celebrities, changing with each campaign. The Colonel represents the heritage and tradition of KFC, and people just seem to love him!

How come KFC’s ads are sometimes controversial?

Oh, you know, controversy can be subjective. Sometimes, KFC ads push the boundaries with humor or a new concept, which might not sit well with everyone. It’s important to remember that their goal is to grab attention, and sometimes a little controversy does just that!

Do KFC ads help boost their sales?

Definitely! Advertising is a powerful tool for any business, and KFC is no exception. Their ads create brand awareness, and they keep the chain fresh in people’s minds. When a successful ad campaign connects with the audience, you can bet that it helps KFC’s sales.

Why does KFC use humor in their ads?

Ah, humor – it’s a great way to connect with people! KFC uses humor to make their ads entertaining, engaging, and memorable. It helps the brand stick out in a crowded market, and people tend to remember funny ads, which helps build brand recognition.

What’s the idea behind KFC’s “Finger Lickin’ Good” slogan?

You see, “Finger Lickin’ Good” is a catchy and iconic slogan that KFC has used for decades. It conveys the idea that their chicken is so delicious, you’ll want to lick your fingers clean! It’s simple, memorable, and it’s become synonymous with KFC’s delicious chicken.

Are there any famous KFC ads people should know about?

Oh, there are many! But one that comes to mind is their “Chicken Town” ad, which shows a dystopian world filled with imitators, but nothing compares to the original KFC. This ad highlights KFC’s superior quality and taste compared to competitors.

How do KFC ads compare to their competitors’ ads?

Well, it’s like comparing apples to oranges. KFC ads are usually focused on humor, their iconic Colonel Sanders, and the finger-lickin’ goodness of their chicken. Competitors have their own unique styles and approaches, but KFC ads tend to stand out with their distinctive branding and creative campaigns.

Do KFC ads target a specific demographic?

Not necessarily. KFC ads aim to appeal to a broad audience. They try to create ads that resonate with people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures. After all, who doesn’t love some tasty fried chicken?

How have KFC ads evolved over the years?

KFC ads have definitely evolved! They’ve gone from simple, product-focused ads to more creative and engaging campaigns. The iconic Colonel Sanders has changed too, with different portrayals and new storylines. KFC’s ad evolution is a testament to their adaptability and their desire to stay relevant in the fast-food market.

What is the overall goal of KFC’s advertising campaigns?

In a nutshell, the goal of KFC’s advertising campaigns is to create brand awareness and drive sales. They want to remind people of the deliciousness of their chicken and the fun, welcoming atmosphere of their restaurants. By creating memorable ads, KFC hopes to keep customers coming back for more finger-lickin’ good chicken!

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Bogdan Sandu

Bogdan Sandu, a seasoned designer with 15 years of diverse experience, has been designing websites since 2008.

Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients.

His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8.